Former village pub to reopen under new plans

A Wolverhampton pub which closed in 2018 is set to reopen after plans to refurbish it were approved.

The Old Stags Head in Penn shut due to a decline in trade and subsequent plans to turn it into a home were refused.

Now, the building, described as being in a "serious state of disrepair" will reopen with a new layout that includes a bigger restaurant.

The pub is registered as an asset of community value and has stood for more than 200 years in the village's conservation area.

The decision made by the City of Wolverhampton Council's planning officers said: "The principle of development is acceptable in that it supports the retention of the original use of the site, and therefore overcomes the concerns expressed by the local planning authority on previous refused schemes at this site.

"Support for the retention of the public house use has been expressed by Penn Residents Association and neighbouring properties."

The pub was put up for sale after closing and was still available more than five years later – with the price reduced from £750,000 to £495,000.

A plan by the owner to turn it into a six-bed home was rejected in 2022, a decision upheld by government planning inspectors on appeal.

Another application to turn it into a house was again put forward in 2024 but rejected by the council after more than 300 people objected.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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