A 300-year-old pub in St Helens is starting a new period in its history with work underway transforming the building into social housing.

The Stork Inn, Billinge dates back to 1717 and sees housing association Torus investing £7 million to give it a new lease of life as well as constructing a new apartment building on the site.

The historic pub, which last called time in 2019, is being converted into eight apartments with a mix of one and two bedrooms.

The building’s fabric is being retained with only minimal changes made to the façade to return it closer to the inn’s original appearance.

Relatively recent additions such as pipes, wire grilles and utility connections will be removed and redesigned as part of a sympathetic restoration.

The original cellar when the building was previously a 17th century farmhouse will be available for viewing on request so the public can experience its history as royal prisoners were incarcerated there during the English Civil Wars.

The development also includes a new structure of 18 one and two-bed apartments being built on land that used to be the pub’s car park.

Stone and slate influenced by the Grade II* listed St Aidan’s Church opposite will be used so it is in-keeping with the immediate area.

In total, all 26 properties will be available for social rent - the most affordable tenure possible.

To complete the scheme, trees will be planted and courtyards landscaped with car parking at the rear so vehicles are not in public view.

Development Director at Torus, Anna James, said:

“We bought the site in 2022 but unfortunately since then have been really frustrated by delays and rising costs that have been out of our hands.

“The initial builder SEP Construction Services went into administration, the structure’s condition worsened meaning more surveys and safety work was needed and construction costs have increased too but we see it as a really good long-term investment in the community.

“While it has been a labour of love reaching this point, it is fantastic that work has started because The Stork Inn is such an important scheme historically, architecturally and culturally.

“It has a lot of charm and will really complement the listed church over the road and a war memorial at the site’s southern boundary.

“I’m sure local people will enjoy living in the high quality apartments and because they will be offered at social rent, they will be affordable for everyone.

“Wherever feasible, we want to keep historical landmarks and this is our latest scheme after converting the Newton-in-Makerfield War Memorial Hospital, Ogdens Tobacco Factory in Everton and Allerton Fire and Police Station in south Liverpool into affordable homes.”

Shahi Islam, Director of Affordable Housing Grants at Homes England, said:

“As the government’s housing and regeneration agency, increasing the supply of quality affordable homes remains one of our key objectives and we are committed to supporting Torus to achieve their ambitions.

“The start of works marks an important milestone in the redevelopment of this historic pub and is a prime example of how we work collaboratively with partners to create thriving communities that people can be proud of.”

Torus’ in-house contractor, HMS, is carrying out the work which is expected to finish next summer.

Torus is investing £3.52m of its own money supported by £2.99m from Homes England’s Affordable Homes Programme and £572,000 from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Brownfield Land Fund.

Torus sponsored the Journal of the Merseyside Archaeological Society to research, examine and report on the site’s history.

It found a farmhouse was originally built on the land in the 1640s with The Stork Inn erected in 1717 before being extended in 1752 when a datestone was added above the door.