A dilapidated but much-loved former country pub is headed for repair to be converted into a family home – after owners overcame a wrangle with the council.

Owners of the New Leathern Bottle on Maidenhead Road in Warfield already have permission to turn the building into a house. Now they have submitted plans to Bracknell Forest Council for extensive renovations to the listed building – inside and out.

Under the plans, the roof tiles will be relayed and the interior refurnished – all while keeping as many of the original features as possible. All but one of the outside doors are to be replaced, and 15 solar panels will be installed in the large back garden.

Plans submitted to the council by Kruszelnicki Leetch Architects say: “We propose to retain as much of the existing features and finishes as possible.

“These include the existing original floor finishes at ground floor and first floor, original architraves and wainscotting where acceptable and original internal doors. We propose to carefully clean and repaint the existing beams at ground floor.”

They add: “We propose to relay the existing clay tiles (hatched in green in the elevations and plans associated with this application) on top of a new a roofing felt and waterproofing membrane.

“Any existing tiles that are broken or get damaged in the process will be replaced with a Marley Clay Double Camber roof tile in Antique.

“New tiles will only be used in areas that are hidden from the main elevations so as not to create any visual differences between old and new tiles.”

READ MORE: Memories of Bracknell's New Leathern Bottle pub

The New Leathern Bottle has been closed since September 2020. Owners The Wellington Pub Company first applied for permission to change the use of the building from a public house to a four bedroom dwelling in 2021.

Bracknell Forest Council’s planning department at first refused permission, arguing that it would mean the loss of a community facility. But the government’s planning inspectorate overruled the council, agreeing that it was no longer viable to keep the building running as a pub.

The inspector Lewis Condé ruled: “The site is in a location with a small local population and no significant local attractions to draw potential customers.

“There is no robust evidence before me to demonstrate that the use of the building as a public house, or other community facility remains viable.”

With that obstacle out of the way, separate applications for planning permission have been submitted for each element of the refurbishment. This is required as the building is grade two listed.