AN application to demolish a pub and build a manor house on the site in Wolverley has been given the green light by planning chiefs.

The plans, which will see the reinstatement of the village manor house, together with a garage block on the original site, were deemed appropriate development within the green belt by Wyre Forest District Council planning committee members.

Work is set to start on the construction of the new six-bedroom manor house, including the demolition of the Live and Let Live pub.

The applicant's land and development consultants, G2, have been working closely with the council's conservation officer, Simon Roper-Prestbury and planning officer, Paul Round, to produce a "sympathetic design" for the development.

The building was formerly known as the Old Manor House in the village and belonged to The Diocese of Worcester, according to the Wolverley and Cookley Historical Society.

It was converted into a pub in the early 1960s.

Land consultant, Dave Bennett, said: "Information on the history of the original manor house is scarce but old maps indicate that it was located on this site.

"It is rare that a site of this calibre comes to the market."

The traditional Georgian-style manor house will cover an area of around 8,000 square feet and include a four-car garage block, underground swimming pool and wine cellar.

The application, which originally led to concerns, was granted after amended plans showed a reduction in the size of the development.

It was stated in a report at the meeting that "the proposal is now not materially larger than the existing building and thus is considered to be appropriate development of the green belt."

A bat survey has also been requested by Worcestershire Wildlife Trust.

Councillor Fran Oborski, a member of the planning committee, was in favour of the proposal.

Speaking afterwards, she said: "I think it's an absolutely brilliant scheme to have one substantial building built there when someone could have come along with a plan for 20 smaller dwellings.

"It's sad about the Live and Let Live but this country pub had been closed for quite a while now so I'm certainly in favour of this scheme."