Plans to turn a derelict former Bath school into a pub and hotel could finally be put into action.

Samuel Smith Old Brewery bought the Grade II*-listed King Edward’s School building in 1989, but despite numerous applications, it has stood empty for more than three decades.

The North Yorkshire chain first got the go-ahead to turn it into a twelve-bed hotel and pub in 2010, had the permission renewed in 2013, promised to start work in 2018, and now has a third chance to press ahead with its proposals.

The Broad Street building was completed in 1754 and restored in 1978, but is currently on Historic England’s Heritage at Risk register.

The 2010 application that was finally approved said the brewery wanted to create a “high quality city tavern with refreshment dining and bar facilities and bedroom accommodation of a character befitting its special context”.

Following an intervention from Bath MP, Wera Hobhouse, the brewery insisted in 2018 that work would start “very soon”.

When it failed to act, it faced criticism from the Bath Preservation Trust, which said it was “shameful” the owner “has let this fine building moulder for over thirty years with no attempt to put forward a collaborative scheme for reuse and restoration”.

Samuel Smith Old Brewery said the revised plans would cause less than substantial harm to the listed building and the social and economic benefits of bringing it back into use added more weight to its case.

The Council approved the application, which will allow the business to open until 11 pm Monday to Saturday and 10.30 pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays. It said no more than 110 people should be in the rear courtyard at any one time. Samuel Smith Brewery was approached for comment. Stephen Sumner, LDRS