Earlier this month, plans were submitted to transform a historic pub in Stoke-on-Trent into a retail unit and assisted living flats. 

A planning application was submitted for The Leopard, Burslem, which seeks permission for "change of use to one retail unit and 17 dwellings with ancillary communal space and associated external and internal alterations".

Read more about the plans here. 

Local residents have begun raising objections to the plans and four comments have been submitted on the application so far. 

Sadly, the building was damaged by a huge fire in 2022 (Google).

One resident said: "The building should not be changed in any way whatsoever; it is part of the history of Burslem. 

"This is what the developer wanted in the first place which is probably why they sat on it for so long knowing something like a fire would happen.

"In my opinion they should be forced to rebuild it as it was and to be used as a public house."

Another said: "The building should be rebuilt as the pub it was. 

"Simply ripping it down to replace it with flats and retail is not acceptable in any way shape or form. Simply sets a precedent for future builds. Not happy."

Residents can still submit a comment on the application by visiting the council planning portal here.

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