Historic Magpie Pub sign on A140 in Stonham Parva, near Stowmarket, to return as plans approved

Plans to reinstate a village’s landmark pub sign have been given the green light.

The historic Magpie Pub sign in Stonham Parva is set to be reinstalled after Mid Suffolk District Council approved proposals on Monday.

The sign, which arched over the A140 for more than 250 years, was taken down by Suffolk Highways in 2021 after being struck by a vehicle.

The Magpie pub closed its doors last year and was sold at auction for £220,000 last month, according to Auction House East Anglia's website.

The sign is now owned by Stonham Parva Parish Council and it remains one of only three similar highway arch signs in the country — holding significant heritage value for the village.

To improve safety, the new structure will be set back 1.5 metres from the road, an increase from the original one-metre distance, reducing the risk of further collisions.

While the design will stay true to its original form, the salvaged Magpie symbol will once again be displayed at the centre of the beam.

With planning permission secured, the parish council has three years to begin the restoration project.

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