'Sad day' as old Telford pub to make way for homes
It will be a sad day for Telford when a former coaching inn that has fallen into disrepair is pulled down to make way for new homes, planners have said.
Councillors expressed their sorrow that no conservation or heritage merit could be found to justify saving The Nyth and Erindale at Moss Road in Wrockwardine Road, which has suffered "extensive vandalism".
Instead proposals to build three terraced houses and nine apartments on the site were accepted by Telford & Wrekin Council's planning committee as inevitable at a meeting last night.
The large traditional building, formerly a coaching inn, had been owned by British Coal before being converted into two semi-detached houses, which are now empty and very dilapidated.
Councillor Shirley Reynolds said: "I am extremely sad to see these buildings go but if people have been out and said that it doesn't have enough heritage merit then I don't think we have much choice than to accept this application."
And Councillor Nigel Dugmore told the planning meeting: "We have got to bow down to the inevitable.
"As much as it pains me we have got to do it because it is going to fall down. It's a very sad day I am afraid."
A conservation officer who visited the site reported: "It is unlikely that the building in its current condition is worthy of listing by English Heritage."
The officer considered that refurbishing building would prove too costly compared to a new build on the site given its dilapidated condition.
Applicant Andrew Cockayne plans to pull down the building and build three two-storey houses and an L-shaped building to house nine apartments on the site.
The development will be mainly in brick with contrasting feature headers to casement windows and eaves detail.
The approval of the plans is subject to the developer giving £7,200 towards recreational facilities and £27,252 for education facilities in the vicinity.
Councillors expressed their sadness at the loss of the Victorian red brick front from Wrockwardine Wood's street scene.
But reports showed the property had been harmed by "unsympathetic" extensions and UPVC doors.
