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Councillor says Dudley landmark pub loss is great shame

The loss of a former 1930s roadhouse, which has been earmarked for demolition, would be "great shame" a councillor said today.

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Permission was given for the King Arthur pub in Dudley to go. Owner Amrinder Singh notified Dudley Council of plans to knock down the building, on the corner of Priory Road and Birmingham New Road.

Under planning rules the council had 28 days to object but consent was granted. Legally it can only consider how it is demolished and the site restored.

Ward councillor Alan Finch today said that he was disappointed that the council had been "powerless" to stop the building from being knocked down.

Two years ago, the pub building, which is locally listed, had been earmarked for a £3.5million revamp.

It would have been extended to create a hotel, and planning permission for the scheme was granted in May 2010.

It is not yet known what will happen to the site, which had previously been put up for sale and then taken off the market.

Mr Singh could not be contacted for a comment but his agent Neil Denison said that he did not know what was planned for the site or if the demolition would definitely go ahead.

Councillor Finch said: "I'm shocked that there is not anything the council can do to stop this landmark building from being knocked down.

"It would have made a fine hotel, especially down the road from the Black Country Living Museum and Dudley Zoo. It's a great shame that this building could disappear forever."

Alison Whitehouse, who lives near the pub, said: "It is very sad that yet another part of our local heritage is to disappear and there is nothing that we can do about it."

Deputy leader of Dudley Council, Shaukat Ali, said: "The authority received notification of the owner's intent to demolish the King Arthur Public House.

"This is a requirement for all buildings in line for demolition prior to consent for any redevelopment proposals being considered."

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