PLANS to demolish an all-glass pavilion at a historic Kingswinford house to make way for the development of apartments have been approved by Dudley Council.

Listed building consent was put before the council's development control committee on April 9, asking for permission for the part demolition and extension of Broadfield House Glass Museum to create five apartments.

The plan includes the demolition of an all-glass single storey extension, which when built in 1994 for use as the museum's entrance, was considered to be the largest all-glass structure in the world.

A report to the planning committee, which was recommended for approval by planning officers, argued that retaining the glass pavilion would require mechanical ventilation in the building, which could have an 'undesirable “knock on” effect' on the grade II listed building.

The plans were unanimously approved by councillors at the development control meeting, however the demolition of the glass partition was said to be 'regrettable'.

Councillor Paul Bradley said: "It's very regrettable we are going to lose the glass partition but we need to look at the bigger picture.

"We're looking after the future of the bigger part of the building."

Chair of the committee, councillor Asif Ahmed, said the demolition was a 'shame' but necessary.

The plan will now be referred to the Secretary of State for the final decision.

Broadfield House was built in the 18th century and was used a care home before being opened as Broadfield House Glass Museum in 1980.

The museum on Compton Drive has been closed to the public since 2015 and vacant since 2016.