Work under way at old Little Chef

Work has started on a derelict former Little Chef site near Whitchurch – prompting speculation the building could soon be given a new lease of life.

Workmen are preparing the interior of the former restaurant, which has planning permission to be converted into a self-catering motel.

The site, on the junction of the A41 and A49 at Prees Heath, has stood empty for a number of years and has become overgrown. In 2008, the former

North Shropshire District Council granted planning permission for the creation of a self-catering motel with more than 40 beds.

Applicants told planners at the time they could not say how many jobs would be created.

But yesterday workers were spotted revamping the building's interior.

Staff at the nearby Total garage said today they believed there ware plans to transform the site into a chip shop.

Councillor Doris Ankers, of Whitchurch Town Council, said she had heard the site might be transformed into a new office for Vosa, the vehicle standards agency, which regularly carries out spot checks at the Prees Heath car park.

No fresh planning applications have been submitted for the site.