Brewers Wadworth have applied for permission to demolish outbuildings at the Black Swan Hotel in Devizes and use the area for car parking for customers and staff.

The outbuildings are at the rear of the hotel, in Market Place, and were used for storage and garaging, but are now largely redundant and in poor condition.

Dolman, the agent for Wadworth, says in the application for listed building consent to Wiltshire Council: “An appropriate long-term sustainable use for the structure concerned cannot be found and, without this, the significant cost of repair and ongoing maintenance cannot be justified.

“The removal of this part of the outbuilding range will, however, have the benefit of creating more space for parking, which is badly needed.”

The Black Swan itself is Grade II* listed, but the rear outbuildings were added later.

Dolman’s submission says: “The proposed demolition is not considered to be detrimental to the historic integrity of the Black Swan, nor will it result in the loss of any significant feature, or indeed, the character of the surrounding area.”

The agents added that Wadworth intended to retain and repair the wall to the west boundary.