Further extension and wrought-iron gates planned for historic Dudley pub and brewery
One of the Black Country's best-known historic pubs wants to build a new purpose-built extension to its brewery.
The Grade II listed Beacon Hotel in Bilston Street, Sedgley, has applied to Dudley Council for permission to build a new barrel wash, workshop and cold store at the award-winning Sarah Hughes Brewery.
The application comes just weeks after the opening of a new conservatory at the pub, which features in the latest edition of the Campaign for Real Ale's Good Beer Guide.
A pair of wrought-iron gates are also planned for the main entrance to the pub car park.
Andy Law of HPC Design said: "It is proposed 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 dates 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.
"Also the building detracts from the street scene when viewed from Bilston Street.
"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."
The new conservatory at The Beacon Hotel was opened last month, almost two years since plans were first submitted. It replaced a smaller decaying conservatory which was built about 35 years ago.
In August, Sarah Hughes bBewery took the silver medal in Champion Beer of Britain for its Snowflake barley wine. Celebrations were tempered, though, by the death of John Hughes, who restored the pub and reopened the brewery, which he named in honour of his grandmother.
The proposals will now go before Dudley Council planners.
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