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.
A further seven homes will be built at the rear of the site, comprising six three-storey, three-bedroom semi-detached houses and one two-bedroom detached bungalow.
Two of the properties will be rented out as social housing, and two more would be available through a shared ownership scheme.
A statement on behalf of Mr Hayer said that prior to the sale the pub had been marketed by the previous owner, which had been unable to secure a tenant.
"It closed due to the pub company being unable to find consistent tenants and a prolonged period of non-viable operations," said the statement.
"The building was ultimately sold to the applicant but it was first listed as a pub and indeed was offered locally; noting that it was an Asset of Community Value at that time. It was not therefore made vacant for the sole purpose of redevelopment."
Featherstone and Brinsford Parish Council expressed support for the scheme.
Council planning officer Tom Cannon said the building was of little architectural merit, but its role in the social history of the village had led to it being considered a 'non-designated heritage asset.'.
"Given that the building's significance is largely derived from its role in the social history of Featherstone rather than any architectural distinctiveness or high-quality detailing, the new community pub would effectively continue the social role of the building within the village," he said.
"Consequently, applying a balanced judgement, and taking into account that the building has been damaged and is therefore beyond economic repair, there is no objection to the loss of the existing non-designated heritage asset."
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