Famous Victorian Dudley pub is granted permission for brewery extension and iron gates
Plans to extend one of the Black Country's best-known historic brewery pubs have been approved.
The Grade II listed Beacon Hotel in Sedgley has been told it can build a new barrel wash, workshop and cold store at its award-winning Sarah Hughes Brewery.
A pair of wrought-iron gates are also planned for the main entrance to the pub car park.
The news comes three months after the pub opened a new conservatory, almost two years after plans were submitted.
Andy Law of HPC Design said the application was to demolish the existing, decaying, concrete-framed outbuildings and construct a new single-storey structure using a mixture of reclaimed facing brickwork and painted render.
A pitched roof would be concealed behind a stone-coping topped parapet wall, he said.
Windows would be reclaimed crittle style, painted black, and doors would be painted timber to match the existing brewery.
Mr Law said the changes would improve the appearance of the historic pub, which dated back to the mid-18th century.
"The existing concrete frame structure is in a bad state of repair is an unsightly addition within the immediate grounds of a Grade II listed building," he said.
"Due to the proposed replacement building being constructed using a mixture reclaimed red facing brickwork and painted render, installation of reclaimed crittle style windows and timber doors to match the existing brewery will enhance the grounds and compliment the building."
No objections were raised during a public consultation.
James Mason, a planning officer at Dudley Council, said the proposals would improve the historic building.
"The proposed development at The Beacon Hotel involves replacing outdated garages with a well-designed outbuilding that accommodates a barrel wash, cold store, and workshop, alongside new gates and walls," he said.
"The scheme respects the historic significance of the Grade II listed building, preserves its character, and introduces improvements without causing harm to heritage assets."
Sarah Hughes Brewery, which is at the rear of the pub in Bilston Street, took the silver medal in the Campaign for Real Ale's annual competition to find the best beer in Britain in August this year with its Snowflake barley wine. Celebrations were tempered, though, by the death of John Hughes in June this year, who restored the pub and reopened the brewery, which he named in honour of his grandmother.
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