Chester residents in community campaign to save The Red House from demolition

The Red House, located on Dee Banks, Great Boughton, has overlooked the River Dee since the 1850s, and currently houses Italian restaurant Et Alia.

But earlier this month we revealed that plans have been lodged with Cheshire West and Chester Council to demolish The Red House and replace it with apartments.

A total of two four-bedroom, four three-bedroom and one two-bedroom apartments would be created, along with underground parking and landscaped grounds.

The plans to demolish The Red House and replace it with apartments were revealed recently.

The full planning application was submitted to the council by Lancashire-based Sterling Property Co. Ltd, which said: "All apartments will benefit from a private terrace, garden or balcony overlooking the river, with the remainder of the site landscaped to form communal grounds. The existing pontoon on the river will be retained."

But the plans sparked a wave of objections by local residents, with scores commenting on the planning website to criticise the "overdevelopment" of the proposed scheme and lamenting what would be the loss of a "great local amenity".

Now Dee Banks resident Kate Cousens, who said the demolition plans came as "a major shock to many", is behind a new community campaign which aims to save The Red House from demolition and preserve its long-term future.

Kate Cousens is behind the campaign to preserve the future of The Red House site and transform it into an asset of community value for present and future generations to enjoy.

Kate, who advises businesses on strategy, culture and leadership in her day-job as a director for HM Bamboo, is using those skills to marshal the support of local residents to ask CWaC for The Red House to be registered as an asset of community value.

Kate is hoping The Red House can be returned to the pub that was much loved and supported by residents in and around the Great Boughton area.

She said: "The Red House has 170 years of heritage. One of the reasons I bought the house I live in now was because it is walking distance to this fabulous venue.

"It was turned into a restaurant around 14 years ago and, I believe, was never quite the same as the once loved and busily frequented pub that was at the heart of the community.

"The planning application to knock the building down and in its place build seven luxury apartments has come as a major shock to many.

"Together with a growing group of local supporters, I am campaigning for the pub to remain and believe that there are enough of us in the local community to be able to operate it as a community enterprise.

"We know that this is no mean feat but there are many extremely talented and capable individuals who live in the area and want to see this happen. We firmly believe that The Red House is a jewel in Chester's crown – the views of the River Dee and Meadows are spectacular and should be enjoyed by as many people as possible!"

Residents have launched a campaign to stop The Red House from being demolished.

Kate added local residents have come together to build a business plan, with the aim of establishing a family-friendly, dog-friendly community café/pub/restaurant that people will enjoy walking to from all areas of Great Boughton, Saighton Camp, Caldy Valley and beyond.

Among the many ideas suggested by residents include using The Red House as a community library and/or book-swap, a prescription collection point, a dementia café for Age Concern, a community rowing boat / pedalo hire for children/adults, a music/entertainment/quiz venue, a co-working meting space, and a venue suitable for hosting summer parties, local school events and commemorative occasions.

The potential for a water-taxi service from The Red House site along the River Dee to The Groves has also been explored as a way of easing road traffic congestion.

Chester MP Chris Matheson said that, while the final decision on the future of The Red House rested with CWaC, Kate and her team had ideas which were "well worth listening to".

He said of The Red House: "It's an iconic building, overlooking the Meadows. Kate and her team have got a very dynamic, imaginative proposal to rival the planning application for luxury flats.

"She makes a very strong case for a community facility to provide a whole range of services and amenities in that part of town."

For more information on the campaign, visit the 'Let's save the Redhouse' group on Facebook.