A derelict pub targeted by arsonists last week could soon be demolished to make way for sheltered housing.
The Croft in Runcorn suffered major damage last Tuesday after a fire believed to have been started deliberately left the building structurally unsafe.
This week, developer Hindle Property Investments has submitted two separate planning applications proposing to replace the pub with either sheltered housing or shops and flats.
The first application is similar to proposals put forward by Hindle last year but later withdrawn, and would see a block of 15 sheltered living flats built on the site.
The other would have only eight flats, also for sheltered accommodation, but would include two shops on the ground floor.
Both applications point out that the pub in Halton Lodge Avenue has fallen into disrepair and become a target for anti-social behaviour since it closed in 2014.
One of the applications said: “Ultimately the site has very little to contribute to the local area.
“The site currently is a very poor quality environment and is in urgent need of redevelopment.”
It is not clear why Hindle has submitted two different planning applications, and neither proposal makes any reference to the other.
The proposal for 15 sheltered flats said the application was backed by Hilldale Housing Association, which would manage the sheltered accommodation, but the other application includes no mention of who would run the flats in that case.
Both applications are open for public comments until June 25 and Halton Council aims to make a decision on them by the end of July.
