Historic Black Country pub could face demolition under plans

Proposals over The Fiddlers Arms, in Straits Road, Lower Gornal, have been submitted to Dudley Council.

It would see the pub demolished and eight detached houses and semi-detached houses built on the site.

But it has attracted a string of objections – including from a former mayor – over the importance of the pub.

A pub has been at the site as far back as the late 1800s. Locals celebrated back in 2017 when a planned Co-op on the site was turned down after it was sold by Marston's to a developer and there were hopes it could remain open as a going concern.

Councillor David Stanley, who represents Gornal and is a former Mayor of Dudley, said in the objection: "I object to the demolition the Fiddlers Arms. I have been contacted by numerous residents about their concerns of the loss of this locally-listed building.

"There has been a public house on this site for more than 160 years and has played a large part in the area with the community. I understand the situation with the council regarding development in building new homes but this is not a suitable location.

"The site is close to the village centre to retain the public house and restaurant or another community use on this site would be ideal in retaining the local character in this area."

Objection

A planning statement to Dudley Council says the proposal would be a "benefit to the immediate neighbouring properties and the wider street scene as a whole".

But an objection, from the Victorian Society, said: "The Fiddler’s Arms is a locally listed public house of the 1860s and one of a dwindling number of historic buildings in this area of Gornal.

"We are very disappointed to see another application for demolition of the building, further to refusal of consent for the previous application to demolish in 2017.

"In our view the locally listed building should be retained, repaired and incorporated sensitively in any proposals for redevelopment of the site. The current proposals for housing on the site are also not in our view a suitable replacement for this locally listed building. We therefore object to this application as is currently presented."

A nearby resident, in support of the move, said the pub had become an "eyesore" and a "magnet" for anti-social behaviour and the pub had stood derelict for years – and had been vandalised.

Another added: "The pub has been closed now for two and a half years and the building and grounds are in a terrible condition and a complete eyesore.

"I feel the premises should be demolished and more beneficial use made of the ground. Building new homes on this land can only benefit the community."

The future of the pub will be decided by Dudley Council in the near future.