Landmark former Wolverhampton pub set to become six-bedroom home
An historic former pub in a leafy corner of Wolverhampton could be turned into a six-bedroom family home, if plans submitted to the city council get the go-ahead.
Once a hugely popular watering hole, the Old Stag’s Head, in Church Hill, Upper Penn, has stood empty for the last four years, following a steady decline in passing and local trade, which led to its eventual closure.
The landmark building, which dates back to 1831, was eventually put up for sale and was purchased by Jasdeep Sahota, who now hopes to convert it for residential purposes.
In a statement accompanying the application, James Hodgkins of Birmingham-based Simply Planning Limited, acting on behalf of Mr Sahota, said: “The Old Stag’s Head closed as a public house in October 2018 and has been vacant ever since.
“The use of the building as a pub is no longer viable, and as a consequence its future is at risk. The building has become tired in appearance – internally and externally – and requires adaptation and investment.
“Overall, these proposals will bring a vacant building back into use, and in doing so, will help to meet the council’s identified need for housing.
“The development will inject significant investment into the site and has been carefully considered to restore, preserve and enhance the historic character of the building whilst delivering modern family accommodation.”
Located within the Vicarage Road (Penn) conservation area, the building is approximately 500m away from Penn Common.
The surrounding area is a mixture of residential and agricultural, with both Penn Golf Club and Penn Cricket Club also nearby.
A heritage statement, also submitted alongside the application, said: “It is lamentable that the Old Stag’s Head has lost its viability as a communal village pub.
“The building has stood in the centre of the village since before the Tithe map of 1839, and has historic significance locally as part of the village’s early development.
“Owing to its prominent location on the corner of Sedgley Road/Church Hill and Pennwood Lane, its visibility across the car park site and its relationship with the adjacent St Bartholmenew’s Church and village green, it is a local landmark.
“The settlement of Penn dates to the 5th century and was clearly well established by the time of the Domesday Survey in 1086, with a population of around 50-100.”
City council planners will make a decision on the application in the near future.
