Plan to turn once-popular Bilston pub into flats
A once-popular pub near Wolverhampton that has been closed for more than a decade is to be extended and converted into five new flats.
The Spread Eagle in Lichfield Street, Bilston, closed suddenly in 2011 and has remained boarded up since.
New owner Vijay Kumar had initially planned to build a function room at the rear of the pub with a view to reopening, and was granted permission in February.
However, a new application to develop the building into five two-bedroom apartments with a new rear boundary wall and gates was submitted this week.
A report by Paul Simkin of Wolverhampton-based Thorne Architecture, sent alongside the earlier application, said: “The existing pub has been derelict for years and has fallen into disrepair.
“Our client has recently purchased the premises and is currently undertaking renovation works.
“As the layout of the existing pub is cramped and has had a variety of small rear extensions over the years to provide additional room, these are not now adequate and are in a poor state of repair.
“The proposals are to demolish the existing rear extensions and incorporate the area in a new flat-roofed extension. Car parking facilities will remain unchanged.
“Also. the building extensions will use materials to match the existing structure and have no impact on neighbouring properties,” added the report.
When it finally closed in 2011, the pub was thought to have been struggling financially. Planning chiefs will make a decision on the application in the near future.
