A bid has been made to build “modern” flats in place of a former bar neighbours once tried to shut down in Wirral.
Freddie’s Bar and Grill in New Ferry would be demolished with nine flats built in its place if plans are approved by Wirral Council.
The bar, which is now closed, faced attempts to close it down in 2021 after people in the nearby area complained of fights and people urinating outside. Wirral Council said it found no evidence to back up the claims and allowed the bar to keep its licence.
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The three-storey building will provide five two-bedroom, two one-bedroom, and two studio apartments with the third floor incorporated into the roof space.
The development is proposed in a residential area just a short walk from Rock Ferry and Bebington train stations as well as New Ferry town centre.
Plans have been put forward by Katrina Sandland, the owner of the bar. The application said: “The proposed new three storey apartment block will be in-keeping with the surrounding context while adding modern elements to contrast and add to the area's architectural value.”
Storage for bikes and parking will also be provided on the site and people can comment on the plans until May 17.
In October 2021, the bar’s premises licence was reviewed after Wirral Council said it had received complaints about issues residents said were linked including anti-social behaviour, noise nuisance and drug use.
A spokesperson for a residents’ group said some of the venue's customers had been known to roll around fighting, screaming and swearing in the community.
They said there were six separate reports of public urination by customers, including three in broad daylight, two of which they claimed involved people’s garden walls and another which was seen by a child.
However, officers from Wirral Council’s licensing, environment and planning teams had visited the premises on multiple occasions and could not back up the reports residents had made.
The panel was told at the time this did not mean the complaints were not true, but the council was not able to find evidence to support the claims.
Representatives for Freddie’s also argued there was a concerted campaign by neighbours who didn’t want a bar in the area.
At the time, Ms Sandland said she had been harassed from the moment she tried to open Freddie’s and the experience made her question whether she had made the right decision in investing in the pub.
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