Historic Dudley pub saved from demolition
An historic pub has been saved from demolition – but houses will still be built on the bowling green next to it.
The bulldozers were poised to flatten The Gate Inn, which sits opposite Cradley Labour Club in Colley Gate, but it will now be converted into a house after Dudley Council planners said it was a ‘heritage asset’.
Plans to build six houses on the bowling green next to the pub on the corner of Colley Gate and Temple Tree Lane, will still go ahead.
Dudley Council case officer Jenny North said in a planning report on the site: “Following further discussion, the applicant agreed to retain (in the main) the public house and convert it into one dwelling.
“Upon consideration it was felt that it failed to provide clear and convincing justification for the loss of the heritage asset.”
Councillor Richard Body, who represents the Cradley and Wollescote Ward, praised the decision. He said: “Where the pub is positioned sadly there have been many shops there that have been closed for many years making the area look an eyesore.
“So having the pub stood in a state of disrepair as well just adds to it, so I am extremely pleased that houses will be built there - it will attract more people to the area.
He continued: “Being classed as a Heritage Asset it is important that we take care and make it look nice. Overall I feel this has been the best outcome.”
Other traders on the street said the pub had shut for good around four months ago.
They said the site had been shut a number of times in recent years as tenants moved out. Plans say that there would be the removal of a single storey rear extension to the building and its replacement with a single storey rear extension.
Obscure glazing would be used to prevent overlooking from some existing windows towards the new development.
There will be rear parking court accessed off Maple Tree Lane for the new development with provision for two parking spaces for each of the properties.
An electrically controlled gate would also secure the area from anti-social behaviour.
Plans were originally put forward for nine properties to be built on the site along with the demolition of the pub. It is believed there has been a pub on the site since the 1800s.
