Red Lion Hotel in Atherton to become nine apartments

An application to repurpose Atherton‘s Red Lion Hotel into nine new apartments has been greenlit for Chris Garvey, ushering in change for the vacant property, which has stood on Church Street in the Market Place Conservation Area.

The approved plans will also see an outbuilding transformed into a self-contained duplex-style apartment, complementing the eight one-bedroom apartments planned for the two-storey former pub.

This decision was decided on Tuesday, March 3, following a series of considerations surrounding national, regional, and local planning frameworks aimed at bolstering the regeneration of the area.

The Red Lion Hotel has been vacant since 2023, with the council acknowledging the disused property will benefit from bringing it back into use.

The commission considered the impact of developing the space into residential use, acknowledging potential benefits to the area.

One key insight was how converting the building back into occupation will contribute to the street scene – leading to visual improvements, increased natural surveillance in the area, and ultimately supporting wider town centre regeneration ambitions.

In a town centre made up predominantly of commercial premises, including some that stand vacant, the decision underscores a shift towards developing brownfield, or ‘previously developed’ sites – an approach endorsed by the Places for Everyone Joint Development Plan.

This development not only aims to revive vacant properties in urban areas but also ensure the reuse of existing infrastructure and facilities to support wider sustainable growth objectives.

Another influential factor in considering the commercial building for residential conversion was the several similar establishments already present in the vicinity.

The Atherton Arms is located approximately 90 metres southeast of the site, the Jolly Nailor about 120 metres to the west, and an interactive sports club/drinking establishment is located 34 metres to the south of the site – offering similar services and diminishing the critical need for another public house in the area.

For residents, the new apartment development provides a sustainable urban living option, with the town centre location offering regular bus links to neighbouring local centres like Wigan, Leigh, and Tyldesley and the Leigh Guided Busway, connecting to Manchester City Centre.

The proposed residential use exceeds the density requirements set out within the relevant policy.

There were two representations received during the period of publicity, a proposal welcomed by one respondent who noted additional daytime custom to Atherton High Street, while objections raised concerns over the suitability of the access point and potential conflicts with vehicular traffic.

The proposed development is expected to have a low impact on the character and appearance of the Conservation Area, considering the minimal external changes planned and the existing state of the property.

The transformation requires modifications like the installation of replacement window frames, with some windows in the rear elevation enlarged.

Importantly, improvements are set to be made to safeguard greenery and biodiversity in the area, with the new development plan including a detailed landscape scheme.

This scheme includes retaining a group of three trees at the southern boundary of the site and plans to ensure the site, which still harbours play equipment from its public house days, features biodiversity enhancements like the integration of a bird and bat box.

With no objections from the Environmental Protection team subject to conditions relating to air quality, and noise assessments stated as satisfactory, the new Red Lion Hotel apartments are on course.