A Cheddleton pub can begin work to extend its kitchen after its planning application was approved.

The Black Lion pub on Hollow Lane have been granted permission for an extension to their kitchen by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

In a heritage statement submitted as part of the application, it was explained that extending the kitchen would enable the Victorian pub to serve food under less pressure due to the existing kitchen being too small.

It said: "The Black Lion Inn serves food at lunch times and in the evenings. The existing kitchen is very small and is located to the rear of the building in a small extension.

"It is unclear when this small addition was constructed but as a space from which to cater for a busy pub, it is too small and puts the food operations under pressure. Since they started offering a full menu some seven years ago, the Environmental Health Officer has been encouraging the enlargement of the kitchen to improve the working conditions."

It added: "The current kitchen is cramped and as such compromises the efficient functionality of the pub as a place for eating.

"The proposed small kitchen extension to the rear of the Black Lion Inn will ensure that the business and rural community asset created in recent years is allowed to continue to thrive."

Approving the application, a report by the district council's planning officers concluded: "The amended proposal would not harm the character and appearance of a Conservation Area, indeed the design of the extension would compliment and sustain the importance of the heritage asset. In addition the extension would not harm residential amenity with the safeguard of conditions."