A village pub in Biddestone that has stood since the 18th century is finally being demolished to make way for four houses as part of a £2million investment.

The Biddestone Arms is being taken apart brick by brick as part of a project to demolish the old pub and build four three-bedroomed houses on the site. 

Property developer, Biddestone Developments Ltd, originally gained planning consent in February to demolish part of the pub and convert it into a house with three parking spaces.

Wiltshire Times: The 18th century Biddestone Arms pub is being partially demolished and converted into a house.The 18th century Biddestone Arms pub is being partially demolished and converted into a house. (Image: Neil Beck)

The company has since been acquired by a Bath-based property developer which has changed its name to Bedstone Developments Ltd.

Bedstone Developments is a Bath-based property development company, specialising in heritage properties in Bath and surrounding areas.

Mr Newton said they have modified the original planning application following post-application discussions with the project engineers.

They had raised "significant structural and design issues” with the permitted partial demolition and re-build, he said.

Following consultation with the heritage consultant, neighbours and Biddestone Parish Council, Bedstone Developments concluded the best way forward was to completely demolish the pub.

It will be replaced with four three-bedroomed houses, two in local stone at the front to fit with the rest of the village, and two at the rear in cedar giving a barn effect.

Wiltshire Times: One of the houses proposed to replace the Biddestone Arms. Image: Bedstone Developments LtdOne of the houses proposed to replace the Biddestone Arms. Image: Bedstone Developments Ltd (Image: Bedstone Developments Ltd)

Mr Newton, 56, said: "After the planning permission was obtained, we decided to modify the planning permission.

"The original plan was to build three new houses and to partially demolish the pub and convert it into one house.

"But it was not possible to do that. The new plan is to build four houses, with offices above the garages in two of the properties.

"Demolition started about two weeks ago and we are hoping to deliver the new houses in July/August next year."

Bedstone Developments has invested around £2 million into the Biddestone housing development, which is called Biddestone Forge.

Wiltshire Times: One of the houses proposed to replace the Biddestone Arms. Image: Bedstone Developments LtdOne of the houses proposed to replace the Biddestone Arms. Image: Bedstone Developments Ltd (Image: Bedstone Developments Ltd)

His company website says: "We are passionate about preserving the rich history and architectural beauty of stunning buildings while also creating exceptional new build living spaces."

Wiltshire Times: One of the cedar barn houses proposed to replace the Biddestone Arms. Image: Bedstone Developments LtdOne of the cedar barn houses proposed to replace the Biddestone Arms. Image: Bedstone Developments Ltd (Image: Bedstone Developments Ltd)

The last landlord to run the Biddestone Arms was Giles Wareham, who spent 18 months there before leaving in January 2019 to set up a farm shop business.

The pub was put up for sale on the open market with a price tag of £359,000 and was bought by a local property developer, who sold his company to Mr Newton.