DEMOLITION work is well underway at the former Greyhound Inn on Rock Hill to make way for a new road and more homes.

The once bustling pub closed its doors in April 2016 as the landlords fell into debt.

It has since been the subject of planning applications to demolish the building to make way for homes and a new access road for the huge Whitford Road site.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Image taken on July 3 2022 by Neil Pugh. Image taken on July 3 2022 by Neil Pugh.

Campaigners and councillors fought to save the future of the pub, which is thought to date back to the 1800s and was accepted as an Asset of Community Value by Bromsgrove District Council in November 2016.

However, this was then overturned the following year.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Image taken on July 3 2022 by Neil Pugh.Image taken on July 3 2022 by Neil Pugh.

Developers, Catesby Estates then submitted an outline planning application to build up to 490 homes off Whitford Road and demolish the Greyhound Pub and build 15 affordable homes along with a new access road.

In March 2019 a huge fire broke out at the pub and was blighted by anti-social behaviour.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Image taken in April 2016. Image taken in April 2016.

Catesby’s application was finally granted outline permission by a Planning Inspectorate in February 2021 after Bromsgrove District Council failed to decide on the original plans.

A detailed planning application submitted by Bellway homes for 370 dwellings on the Whitford site was passed in July.

Bromsgrove Advertiser: Image taken in 2018.Image taken in 2018.

A further detailed planning application by developer Miller Homes is expected for the remainder of the homes on Whitford Road and the Greyhound Inn site.

Many Bromsgrove residents have told of their sadness to see the historical pub bulldozed, with many taking to Facebook to reminisce about memories made with friends and family.

The Bromsgrove Society said 200 years of Bromsgrove’s heritage has been lost.

The society posted on Facebook: "The first known recorded mention of the Greyhound was in 1839, but the Society believes the building could date from the late 1700s."