A closed and rundown boozer in Crystal Palace could soon reopen as a Wetherspoon’s overlooking the park as council officers back new plans.

The popular pub chain wants to refurbish and reopen the Grape and Grain in Westow Hill, months after the Georgian-style bar closed its doors.

Wetherspoon’s put its plans to Bromley Council earlier this year, proposing a three-storey pub complete with a terrace, overlooking Crystal Palace Park and and a beer garden.

The chain said in a statement: “The proposal will re open and revitalise a pub in a prominent position in Crystal palace.

“By extensively extending the pub, the extension will fill an unsightly gap in the street frontage left by a bombing in WW2. Is believed to be a positive step for the site and the area as whole.”

The boozer would be extended to fill a gap left in Church Road, and offer three floors of pub space, with a terrace overlooking Crystal Palace Park on the third storey.

The plans appear to have taken a major step forward by securing the backing of council experts ahead of a councillors vote next week.

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In a new report, officers said: “The proposed development maximises opportunities for enhancement and improvement within the Crystal Palace Renewal Area.

“It is considered that the development proposed will retain the vitality and viability of this section of the town centre, would have a high quality design and would not have an unacceptable impact on the amenity of neighbouring occupiers.”

Some concerns have been raised that the pub would be too high, but Wetherspoon’s said the idea of a terrace proved popular during consultations about bringing the site back to life.

Pub enthusiasts were quick to support the new proposals, commenting:  “The roof terrace is very welcome and could in fact be bigger to take advantage of the spectacular views from what is after all the highest point in south London.”

Another said: “I am delighted to see these are tasteful plans to replace the Grape and Grain and improve the area rather than detract from it. I am also very pleased to see the addition of the roof terrace.”

And another commented: “The pub site is very rundown at the moment and quite an eyesore. The plans to extend it round the corner and add above it makes it look much grander and will really make a difference to that corner of the triangle.”

Councillors will debate the scheme at a meeting next Thursday April 25, deciding whether to go with officers recommendations or not.