Campaign to save 97-year-old pub in village near Wolverhampton fails, as redevelopment plan approved
A campaign by villagers to save a 97-year-old pub near Wolverhampton looks to have failed, after planners approved a proposal to demolish it to make way for a new pub, convenience store and housing.
South Staffordshire Council has approved plans by Surjit Hayer to demolish the Red White & Blue pub in Featherstone, and replace it with a convenience store, a new smaller pub, and 15 new homes.
The pub, which opened in 1928, closed in November 2021. It was subject to arson attacks in April and December last year, which the applicant said had caused significant damage to the building.
A group was set up which offered then owner Stonegate £350,000 to buy the building, and run it as a community business, but the offer was turned down. Campaigner Kevin Blair said the group had hoped to create a microbrewery as part of the scheme.
Mr Hayers has been granted permission to demolish the mock-Tudor-style pub, and replace it with a 4,090 sq ft convenience store, and a 2,160 sq ft community pub, with eight flats above.
