Halton Council’s planning department has approved an application to turn the Tunnel Top in Dutton into a four bedroom house complete with bar, gym and games room.
The site on Northwich Road was named the Halton district Campaign for Real Ale’s (CAMRA) group’s Branch Pub of the Year award in 2013 but closed its doors in 2017.
It had been a popular watering hole for many years, achieving CAMRA real ale accreditation, sponsoring an under 7s football team, and playing host to the Hartford Pool team.
Planning documents said burglaries and competition from rival pubs meant it was ‘no longer feasible’ to run it as a business.
They said: “The pub was broken in to three times when its doors were closed due to its rural location and lack of on-site security.
“Gates and CCTV still could not protect the property.”
The pub originally got its name due to being located near a tunnel on the nearby canal and previously attracted canal walkers.
The application said its current occupiers had lived there since 2018 to protect it from further vandalism and had now taken the decision to remain there, with the application being made to fully convert the pub into a residence.
Plans show a games room/gym, four bedrooms, office and the retention of an existing bar area.
The application added: “There is no longer, and has not been a viable business at the pub for over five years. The property will never again open as a public house due to other surrounding pubs.”
The plans were approved by officers.