A derelict Sandbach pub targeted by arsonists and vandals is to be bulldozed and replaced by a 57-bed care home.

Cheshire East's southern planning committee gave the go-ahead for the proposal for The Limes on Sweettooth Lane on Wednesday (August 30), despite some councillors having reservations about the lack of parking spaces.

Concerns were also raised by Audlem councillor Rachel Bailey (Con) and Middlewich councillor John Bird (Ind) about fire safety and access to the building in the event of a fire.

The applicant's agent, Catherine Pinlop, said although sprinklers weren't required in this development the applicant, Crown Care, does install them in the care homes it runs. She said all other issues related to fire safety would be dealt with at the building regulations stage.

The pub was built in Victorian times. (Image - Google)

The Limes closed in 2019 and the agent said keeping it as a pub was not a viable option, but the associated bowling green would be retained because it is a fantastic community facility.

"This building will provide new facilities associated with the bowling club in the form of a dedicated social space and extended outdoor viewing areas," she said. "We feel this is a great potential for the bowling club and the care home to interlink in terms, not only of recreational activity, but also from the social aspect."

The committee was told the new care home would create more than 100 jobs.

"The development offers the potential to revive the site and the bring a community orientated high quality care provision to Sandbach," said the agent.

The pub dates back to 1880. (Photo: Sandbach Nub News)

Nantwich councillor Anna Burton (Lab) said she was not convinced there was enough parking provided.

She was told the maximum number of staff on site at any one time would be 16 and visiting hours were not restricted, which meant everyone would not be turning up at the same time.

Cllr Andrew Kolker (Dane Valley, Con) asked whether the bowling club's parking requirements had been taken into account during match times.

Highways officer Andrew Goligher said five spaces would be dedicated to the bowling club and it was anticipated numbers requiring parking would be quite small.

Cheshire East HQ in Sandbach.

Cllr John Wray (Brereton, Con) proposed the scheme be approved as per the planning officer's recommendation.

Cllr Kolker, who seconded the approval, said: "It's obviously a disused pub in slightly secondhand condition and this seems an appropriate development for that site. The bowling green… I think will be a lovely addition to the site and give some interests for residents to watch and it's a really nice complementary use."

Cllr Allen Gage (Willaston, Con) said he was 99.9% in favour of it but he still wasn't happy with the parking.

"Policy says we need 27 spots, there's 24 on the site and the highways officer said five of those are going to be dedicated towards the bowling club, that means we'll have 19… I don't see why we couldn't just amend the plans to fit another three or four car parking spaces," he said.

Sandbach Nub News reported on the fire in May 2023.