Developers will have to pay £50,000 if they want to build on the site of a former Telford pub, the borough council has ruled.

A planning application has gone in to bulldoze the White Horse in Heath Hill, Dawley.

The pub, and a bowling green on the site, would be lost under the plans for 14 homes.

A Telford & Wrekin Council spokesman said the authority had therefore made it a condition that, for the plan to get the green light, the developers must provide compensation of £50,000.

The cash would be ploughed into Dawley and invested in facilities in Dawley Memorial Park.

Councillor Eric Carter, cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The council is committed to regenerating our town centres through our Borough Towns Initiative and if we can use redevelopment to spur better facilities and use of parks then this is great news.

“We felt that it was important that any money that is generated by this development remained in Dawley so that local people could continue to benefit.

“I hope that even more people will now be encouraged to enjoy and use the facilities on offer in Dawley Memorial Park.”

At the council’s meeting on July 2 Dawley Magna ward member Councillor Vic Tonks expressed concerns about the plan and in particular at the loss of the bowling green at the back of the pub.

It was Councillor Tonks who suggested that money should be sought from the developer to enable the bowling green in Dawley Park to be kept.