Homes bid at Tontine

Stourport's most famous building looks set to be finally converted into homes in a bid to save it for future generations.

Planners say the ambitious scheme could be the key to survival of The Tontine.

Previous moves to breathe new life into the former hotel and adjacent cottages were refused in 1976 and although a scheme to bring it back into use as licensed premises was agreed in 1978 this never got off the ground.

Costs of the scheme meant that no-one could be found to take on the project.

Now Raybone Developments Ltd has said it wants to refurbish and convert the vacant Grade II listed building into eight town houses and six self-contained flats.

It dates back to 1772 when it was developed as offices of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Company.

It became the earliest canal company hotel in England and set a precedence for future transport hotels and more recently in the 70s was a public house.

Civic Society members in the town want to see it brought back into use but have said they have concerns about the paint to be used on the exterior.

Members of Wyre Forest District Council's planning development control committee, who meet on Tuesday, are expected to give the go-ahead to the scheme.

In a report to members officials have said the buildings are of "particularly great importance to the nation's heritage and that their significance is generally beyond dispute".