NEW plans have been revealed to extend one of Cornwall’s most famous pubs.

Jamaica Inn, which was immortalised by Daphne Du Maurier’s novel, has submitted plans which would extend the restaurant, install a new fireplace and chimney and build a smoking shelter, writes Richard Whitehouse.

The inn, which was built as a coaching inn in 1750, has a bar, hotel, restaurant and museum on site on Bodmin Moor.

Under the plans the restaurant would be extended onto the site of an existing covered walkway, using the existing roof and relocating the external wall.

By doing this it will provide space for a new fireplace, which, the application states, would ‘act as a focal point for the restaurant’.

A detailed design and access statement submitted with the application states that the alterations would not affect the 18th century parts of the building or the 19th century extensions.

It states: “The applicant wishes to improve the visual appearance of the exterior of the building and create a feature to the large expansive restaurant room with the creation of a large central fireplace.”

It adds: “The building and its development, particularly in the late 20th and early 21st century, attest to the increasing popularity of the inn and its place as a tourist landmark in Cornwall.

“The significance of the inn lies squarely in its literary and film/television connections and its association with paranormal events, all of which have combined to root the inn in popular culture.

“It is perhaps unusual that the architectural history of a listed building should play so little part in its significance. The proposed works will not affect the 18th century parts of the building or the 19th century extensions or stable block and are restricted to 20th century alterations and extensions, at the rear of the property.”

The application also includes plans for a timber-built smoking shelter, which would be placed next to the restaurant building.

No date has yet been set for when the planning application might be decided upon.