Plans have been submitted to demolish and then rebuild a much-loved restaurant which was destroyed by fire earlier this year.
Tom and Nicki Bradbury, the owners of Kingswood Restaurant at London Apprentice, near St Austell, have applied to Cornwall Council to demolish and then replace a wing which was damaged by the blaze in April and retain and refurbish an existing hotel wing.
A planning statement says: “Kingswood Restaurant and Rooms is well known within the local community and the restaurant was a popular establishment before the fire incident.
"The proposal involves the demolition of the fire-damaged restaurant wing and construction of a new, more functional space.
“The wing has been fenced off and has been deemed a dangerous structure so demolitions and clearing of debris are under way to ensure safety. The reinstatement of the restaurant is expected to be positively received by the local community, as it was a well-known and loved venue before the fire.
How the new Kingswood Restaurant could look (Pic: APG)
“No changes are proposed to the use, and the new design aims to capture the spirit of the original establishment while improving functionality and sustainability.
"An option to move the main entrance to sit approximately in the centre of both highway access points would provide more visibility and improved presence of the building.
“The form of the proposed restaurant wing has been carefully designed to respect the existing building and surrounding context while providing a functional and visually appealing space.”
A post on the Kingswood’s Instagram page following the fire said: “It has been so difficult to find the right words to update you all after the devastating fire that has destroyed our beloved Kingswood. This has not just affected our lives, but the lives of so many of our hardworking, and dedicated staff.
“Cornwall’s Fire and Rescue crew worked tirelessly to try to control the damage but it was just too much, and our heartfelt thanks go out to each and every one of them. We are unbelievably overwhelmed with the response from everybody locally, and afar.”
For more information on the planning application visit Cornwall Council's planning portal, on its website, under reference PA24/07349.
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