Concerns have been expressed over an “eyesore” piece of land in Telford which has been standing empty for months since an arson-hit pub was bulldozed.
The Red Admiral pub in Sutton Hill was knocked down in October following repeatedly attacks by vandals.
The move was welcomed at the time by residents who were looking forward to a new development on the land.
But nine months on the land is still empty, and parish councillor for Madeley Rupert Coldicutt says he is being asked on a daily basis by residents what is happening with the site.
Councillor Coldicutt said: “The corner stone is still there on the site which means it is owned by someone. I’ve been trying to find out through the council what is happening with it.
“People are asking me daily. Residents want to know what’s going on but to my embarrassment I don’t know.
“It’s overgrown with weeds and people are expressing a lot of complaint that nothing is being done. I can’t give them an explanation because I don’t know.
“It looks a mess. It’s an eye sore - something could be built there that would enhance Sutton Hill shopping centre.”
Councillor Coldicutt said he remembers the pub being set on fire at least five times and says people used to break into the vacant building.
George Lefteri, managing director of Eurovenus Ltd, said they own the land and confirmed plans were under way to create a row of shops and flats on the site.
He said architects had been working on the plans and they would be considered by Telford & Wrekin Council.
Mr Lefteri said: “It was a public house and it was burnt a few times so we had to demolish it. We did not want to build another pub there because of all the problems.
“For the new proposals we are hoping for three or four shops and four or five flats above.”
About 50 residents gathered to watch the demolition of the burnt-out shell of the Red Admiral.
The pub was opened in 1968 just as the new town of Telford was first designated, and was once been a popular family pub.
It was shut down in 2006 and was attacked several times.
In May last year, a blaze severely damaged the pub’s roof, leaving only a quarter of it remaining.
