Takeaway plan for Telford's empty Lord Hill pub

The vacant Lord Hill pub, in Dawley, Telford, is being repaired by Telford & Wrekin Council, according to plans submitted to the authority.

The plans, which have been backed by the council, say the owner of the nearby Jewel in the Crown restaurant is expected to buy the premises and move his business there. It will be renamed The New Jewel.

The work involves building a single-storey rear extension to form an enlarged dining area. It also involves installing external doors, external signage and a kitchen extract flue.

The first floor of the property will also be converted into a flat and a boundary wall will be built to form a new service yard.

A report, which accompanied a planning application, said: "The applicant is the proprietor of the nearby Jewel in the Crown Asian Restaurant and is the prospective purchaser of the Lord Hill Inn who proposes to transfer the business to the Lord Hill premises and to rename it The New Jewel.

"The applicant has agreed terms to purchase the property from Telford & Wrekin Council on the understanding that an application to change the use of the building to a restaurant and takeaway would be supported.

"The applicant also has an understanding that a small rear extension application would be supported. The Lord Hill Inn has been vacant for some time and is being repaired by Telford & Wrekin Council."

The pub has lain empty for about five years.

The pub, in High Street, was set to be bought by the town council as part of the borough council's Pride in Your High Street initiative and brought back into use. But the council decided not to buy the building, after recognising the new owners would be able use the site quicker.

Bosses said the town council did not want to prohibit business growth. The plans were passed under delegated powers.