A listed former blacksmith's shop that shut up shop in 1964 could be demolished and rebuilt for a new life as a two-bedroom holiday let, if planners agree.

The Old Blacksmiths in Todenham, which neighbours the Farrier's Arms pub, sold for £51,500 in November 2022 and Cheltenham-based Buildcore Ltd, acting for applicant Mr Greg Podolak, has told Cotswold planners it wishes to demolish the building as "the option of last resort following careful assessment of the existing dangerous structure."

Repairs to an adjoining wall, belonging to the adjacent church of St Thomas a Becket, would also be made under the proposal. The blacksmiths building dates back to around 1757 and was listed Grade II in 2008, having been extended in the mid-to-late 1800s.

A decade ago, conversion for use as a one-bedroom holiday let was approved, but subsequent collapse of the church wall rendered the building unsafe and unsuitable for the work. Consent was then given for demolition in 2015, with approval for a replacement building to be used as a self-contained holiday unit.

The existing gross internal space, of 34 square metres, will not be added to, according to the proposal, but a mezzanine area for the two bedrooms will add 31 square metres of occupation space to the final design.

Todenham, near Moreton-in-Marsh, is reported to date back to 804 as part of the Kingdom of Mercia.