New plans have come forward for an historic former pub – following an 'unexpected structural failure' during conversion works.

An application to turn The Robin Hood in Hartshill into two shops and three flats was approved by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in January.

But as the proposals were being carried out, the building – which is nearly 200 years old and classed as a non-designated heritage asset – suffered a partial collapse due to 'latent structural instability'.

Builders then had to remove 'unsound' roof structure and masonry down to ground floor ceiling height.

Applicant MBA Properties Group Ltd has now submitted a new planning application to regularise the unintended demolition work and allow the completion of the works.

According to the planning statement, when a building collapses or is demolished beyond the scope of a conversion consent, the original planning permission is no longer valid.

The new application seeks permission for the demolition and rebuild of the first floor, along with the original conversion works.

The application states: "Notwithstanding the unexpected structural failure, the application proposal reinstates the exact spatial layout, scale, massing, and land-use balance previously approved."

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Previous plans for a larger glazed shopfront, which were refused due to their heritage impact by the planning inspector following an appeal, have now been abandoned.

The proposed ground floor retail units are set to be occupied by a general convenience store and a hair and beauty salon.