An "eyesore" former pub in Kirkby that was partially destroyed in a fire last year after being shut amid gun violence could be knocked down and replaced by flats.
The Farmers Arms on the corner of Moorfield and Mossborough Drive in Tower Hill has been closed for several years following a series of incidents at the pub.
In 2016 a gunman opened fire at the windows of the venue, which had been reopened after being closed down by Knowsley Council four years earlier following a series of incidents in and around the pub. These included a man being blasted in the legs with a shotgun and another man being shot in nearby fields.
The pub has lain empty for some time and was hit by a massive fire last year which caused extensive damage to the building’s roof, leading to what the application called a "local eyesore" for people living in the area.
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According to an application submitted by Level 2 Architects, plans for the site include demolishing the former pub and replacing it with two L-shaped blocks of flats with communal gardens and a courtyard. A car park would also be included at the front of the buildings.
An application to open a convenience store at the site was refused last year amid concerns over the potential for anti-social behaviour. Documents submitted as part of the application stated it was understood the council preferred residential development and flats to enable “natural surveillance” over the surrounding open space.
The proposed blocks would be two storeys in height and accommodate 20 one and two bedroom “cottage style” flats each with their own front door and aimed at the “affordable housing market.”
The “cottage style” appearance proposed is aimed to “reference” nearby houses and alongside landscaping and fencing, the proposal also includes plans for cycle storage, footpaths and a bin store.
The application is currently open for comments and can be viewed online with a decision expected by the end of October.
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