Play area plan for 200-year-old Wolverhampton pub that was saved by locals

The Old Stag’s Head in Penn, which has been closed in 2018, is in the process of being renovated with a view to reopening.

Previous plans to convert the building in Church Hill in to a house were refused permission following hundreds of objections.

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But owner Sukhwinder Singh was last year granted planning permission to extend and restore the pub, and Wolverhampton Council is now considering his application for a drinks licence.

Mr Singh is now seeking permission for a children’s play area in the grounds of the pub, including a slide, sand pit, water table and associated bench seating for parents.

He said the development was been designed to provide a family-oriented outdoor amenity space which supports the continued use of the pub, without affecting the character of historic building, which lies in a conservation area.

“The play equipment and seating are lightweight, domestic-scale structures which do not compete with or obscure the historic form, architectural character or visual prominence of the public house and conservation area,” said a statement issued on behalf of Mr Singh.

“The works are confined to an area of land to the east of the building and do not involve alteration to the historic fabric of public house.

“As such, the proposal is considered to result in no harm to the significance of the public house and conservation area, and instead will contribute positively to its ongoing active use and long-term sustainability as a community facility.”

The proposals will now be considered by Wolverhampton Council’s planning department.