The Flying Fortress pub in Bury St Edmunds to be revamped to bring it back into use

A long-closed Bury St Edmunds pub is set to be revamped to bring it back into use next year.

The Flying Fortress, in Mount Road, has been closed since April 2014, and Greene King has submitted plans to transform the dilapidated venue.

A planning statement, from Walsingham Planning, said the application to West Suffolk Council includes a package of works to renovate, refurbish and upgrade the pub, which once sat within open countryside but is now at the heart of an under-construction Taylor Wimpey housing development.

A Greene King spokesman said: “Reopening the Flying Fortress has been on our wishlist for many years but up until now it has not been possible while the nearby housing development was under construction.

“However, we are now at a stage where we have submitted a planning application to West Suffolk Council and, subject to approving the final costings for the project, our aim is to see the pub back open again in 2024. We look forward to providing detail on the investment in the coming months.”

As well as alterations outside to boost its appearance, a covered outdoor seating area and patio would be built at the back of the pub as well as a raised patio at the front.

The application also seeks a new access to the site and changes to the parking areas.

Last year, Greene King, which purchased the Flying Fortress nine years ago, said it was 'still fully committed' to reopening the pub when it could – with the project largely dependent on the progress of the Lark Grange development.

The proposed works are:

• Demolition of the existing lobby, outbuilding and existing yard.
• New vehicle access from Saltsman Road.
• A new entrance porch/lobby.
• Outside changes to the building with rendering and painting, a new opening to the cellar and infill a door at the back.
• New timber pergola at the back to provide covered seating.
• New paved patio in the back garden.
• Children’s play equipment in the back beer garden.
• Resurfacing and marking out the car park to provide 40 spaces.
• New lighting to the car park.
• Create new service yard / back of house area.
• New covered smoking shelter.
• New raised front patio.

Greene King plans that the Flying Fortress will trade under its Neighbourhood Pub and Kitchen brand.

The planning statement said the works would enable the pub to be brought back into use as a community pub / restaurant serving the new development around the site.

“They will also adddress the neglected, unsightly and derelict appearance of the site which currently detracts from the visual amenities of the locality and will ensure that the premises have a viable and sustainable future and make a positive contribution to the local area,” it added.