CONSERVATION and architecture groups have called on planners to save a threatened pub from the bulldozers.

English Heritage and Urban Vision North Staffordshire have joined thousands of beer fans to demand that Hanley's Coachmakers Arms remains open.

And Stoke-on-Trent City Council's archaeologist has reminded planners that the pub was previously deemed worthy of preservation.

The pub is set to be demolished to make way for a £256 million shopping and leisure development.

Although the experts back the overall development, they say the pub should be retained as an original feature.

In its response to the planning application, Urban Vision North Staffordshire accepts the reasons for the proposed demolition of the Coachmakers.

But architecture and urban design adviser Dr Darren Price added: "The panel remained unconvinced that the scheme could not in some way incorporate the pub and suggested that this might not only aid the consultation and public 'buy-in', but also provide an interesting feature of the development."

English Heritage has always refused to list the Coachmakers, despite demands from regulars.

But historic areas adviser Michael Taylor questions why Birch Terrace, which includes the Coachmakers, cannot be saved.

He said: "It is certainly desirable that people living in Stoke-on-Trent should shop in the city rather than travel elsewhere, but it is not evident to us that they will be attracted to do so by the high blank wall of the car park and department store rather than by a lively and attractive group of older buildings that give the shopping experience something distinctive to the city.

"Our recommendation is that the proposals return to the earlier stages of evolution of the masterplan and that the buildings on Birch Terrace and Lichfield Street be retained.

"We recommend that the planning application as it stands be refused."

In his response to the planning application, council archaeologist Noel Boothroyd said: "Housing and pubs within the southern part of the proposed development area are representative of the 19th century expansion of Hanley as an industrial town."

Developer Realis Estates has warned the development cannot be delivered if Birch Terrace was saved.

Realis Estates managing director Duncan Mathieson said: "Almost everyone we spoke to during our recent public exhibitions told us that the East West Centre urgently needs redeveloping and we are pleased that English Heritage, Urban Vision North Staffordshire and the city council's archaeologist share this view.

"If the redevelopment is to succeed, we need to build a vibrant new regional shopping centre that will not only help to secure the future of Stoke-on-Trent but will also benefit North Staffordshire.

"We do not believe it is possible to achieve all this on a smaller site that does not include Birch Terrace."