Mersey View Hotel 2 Mersey View Road Widnes Cheshire WA8 8LP

1. 1.;- REASON FOR THE COUNCIL’S DECISION The proposed development would result in the loss of an existing community facility without sufficient justification. While the submitted Planning Statement Addendum provides additional narrative in relation to marketing and perceived lack of demand, the Local Planning Authority is not satisfied that the evidence submitted demonstrates compliance with Policy HC5. In particular, the proposal fails to robustly justify the loss of the facility through an adequate assessment of local provision, suitability and viability, supported by policy compliant marketing evidence, and fails to appropriately consider the retention, enhancement or replacement of the community facility. The proposal therefore conflicts with Policy HC5 of the Halton Delivery and Allocations Local Plan. The proposed development lies within the consultation zone of a hazardous installation. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), as the statutory consultee, has advised against the granting of planning permission on the grounds that the proposal would introduce a population into an area of unacceptable risk in the event of a major accident. As such, the proposal is contrary to Policy CS23 of the Halton Delivery and Allocations Local Plan and paragraphs 188, 189 and 190 of the National Planning Policy Framework, which require planning decisions to take account of the potential for major accidents, Signature:- Date:-21.04.2026 for Operational Director – Policy, Planning and Transportation ensure that new development is appropriately located having regard to existing hazardous installations, and avoid exposing people to unacceptable risks. The proposal therefore fails to provide adequate waste management provision and the relationship of the ground floor windows to the footway would result in substandard living conditions for future occupiers, contrary to the requirements of good design and residential amenity principles set out in Policies RD3 and GR2 of the Halton Delivery and Allocations Local Plan. Signature:- Date:-21.04.2026 for Operational Director – Policy, Planning and Transportation

From the council's decision notice.

Postcode

WA8 8LP

Application type

Change of Use

Scale / size

Small

Parish

Halebank Parish Council

Date validated

3 March 2026

Consultation expiry

15 April 2026

Consultation start

25 March 2026

Consultation end

15 April 2026

Neighbour consultation start

12 March 2026

Neighbour consultation end

5 April 2026

Last date for comments

15 April 2026

Target decision date

28 April 2026

Statutory period

56 days

Planning Portal ID

PP-14713509

Documents

12