DEMOLITION work has begun on Ellesmere Port's historic Masonic Hall following approval of a planning application to build 17 new homes on the site.

Cheshire West and Chester Council gave the planning proposal, by Archway Homes Ltd, the green light on Friday, August 12 2022.

Archway Homes Ltd plans to construct nine four-bed detached properties, two three-bed detached, one two-bed semi-detached, one three-bed semi-detached, and four one-bed apartments.

The development will see the built on the land which was once occupied by the century-old building and hosted events such as weddings and birthday parties.

The building closed in 2020 as a result of the pandemic. 

The building was marketed for alternative uses for 15 months, but the planning officer reported that "since the pandemic the site has only been used as informal parking."

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Resident Chris Merrick captured this video footage of the demolition this morning (January 26).

(Credit: Chris Merrick)

The first properties are expected to be completed in the autumn.