Ambitious plans to bring one of Poulton’s most distinctive buildings back to life have now been lodged with planners at Wyre.
Businessman Alex Beckett purchased the former Poulton Masonic Hall, one of the grandest buildings in Market Square, last year.
He envisaged the creation of a cocktail bar, a micropub and a fine-dining restaurant in the spacious redbrick building.
Since then, he has added plans for four residential flats in the two upper stories.
The 33 year old businessman said this week: “I’m looking at flats on the first and second floor and the food and drink element on the ground floor.
“The application is with the planning department at Wyre , awaiting a decision.”
The application is for a change of use from Sui Generis and Class E(c) to Class E(a) and Class E(b) – allowing the sale of food and drink on the premises – on the ground floor and residential flats on upper floors, formation of window openings to rear of the building and installation of replacement windows and shopfront to front elevations.
The accompanying planning statement, by the Fox Planning Consultancy on behalf of the applicant, stated: “ The proposal involves the change of use of the three storey Masonic hall, which occupies part of the ground floor and the first and second floor of the premises together with the adjacent ground floor former Afton Coaches office, to a Class E(b) micropub, restaurant, and bar with replacement windows and new shopfront.
“The proposed conversion to a bar/restaurant, including the proposed alterations, will bring a disused building in to use and represents an appropriate use within the town centre and conservation area that will complement other town centre uses.
“The development will have a minimal impact on the appearance of the existing building within the Conservation Area.
“The alterations have been carefully designed to enhance the building’s function and aesthetic while respecting the historical fabric and architectural character of both the Masonic Hall and the wider Poulton-le-Fylde Conservation Area.
“The proposed development fully contributes to achieving sustainable development, providing environmental, social and economic benefits. On this basis, the proposal is in full accordance with the development plan and as a result ought to be supported.”
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