PALMERS Brewery said it is making ‘good progress’ on the development of the Three Cups – as this week marks the 21st anniversary of its closure.

West Dorset District Council and English Heritage requested extra reports on the Lyme Regis building in November last year.

Palmers’ architects and historic buildings advisors are working on additional reports on the historic fabric of the building, the context of the site in relation to adjoining buildings and the structural integrity of the building itself.

English Heritage and West Dorset planners requested further work before any more detailed designs are produced for the proposed redevelopment scheme.

Palmers’ property agent Nigel Jones, of Chesterton Humberts, said: “As soon as this has been completed, we will prepare a computerised model of the proposals taking into account all the adjoining buildings.”

Campaigners who want to see the Three Cups re-opened as a hotel say Palmers is already six months behind schedule. John Dover, chairman of the Save the Three Cups as a Heritage Hotel Group Steering Group, said: “I welcome Palmers’ recent statement that they are making ‘good progress’ on the extra reports requested by West Dorset District Council and English Heritage.

“Some months ago I confirmed that our group was prepared to accept some delay if this meant that a thorough appraisal of Palmers’ proposals would be undertaken.

The brewery first revealed its plans at a public consultation in September.