Plans are lodged to demolish Dudley's King Arthur pub

The move has shocked locals, with some saying the building should be preserved.

Anthony Hitchmough, Camra's preservation officer in the town, has written to Dudley Council saying he believes the King Arthur should not be demolished. The pub, situated on the corner of Priory Road and Birmingham New Road, was built in the 1920s and was a roadhouse, attracting mostly customers with cars from further afield.

The site has planning permission for a 70-bedroom hotel extension.

In his letter, Mr Hitchmough says: "The public house involved is a landmark in Dudley. Why demolish it, when planning permission for to extend and provide accommodation has been granted? Dudley is short of accommodation."

A notice has been put up at the site informing people that an application to demolish the pub has been submitted.

It is not yet known whether another use for the site has been found.

Ward councillor Alan Finch has already spoken of his shock at hearing the news, saying it was "a shame". Owner Amrinder Sandhu was granted planning permission for the £3.5 million hotel project in April 2010. Work had been expected to start that summer. Mr Sandhu said at the time he needed to develop the site to supplement pub income and to prevent the building from falling into disrepair.

But in September 2010, the pub was put up for sale with estate agent Christie & Co. It was later withdrawn from their books.

Mr Sandhu was unavailable for comment.