Plans to redevelop a closed restaurant in the West End have been approved.

Sandys Holding Company – the owners of the Somerset Country Squire – were given planning approval to demolish sections of the building and develop a new restaurant.

The company said the new restaurant would offer a “year-round naturally ventilated covered dining facility” with views of Mangrove Bay.

The completed project would include a covered veranda, new bathrooms, a beer garden, a sushi counter, a pizza bar, dining area and food preparation areas.

All of the work would be carried out to the west of the building along Mangrove Bay Road.

Planning officials said the restaurant would be redesigned to accommodate up to 136 guests, but that the plans only included parking for 16 cars and 16 motorcycles.

A planning officer said that, despite the shortfall, planning policies would allow the project to go ahead because of the availability of parking elsewhere.

The planning officer’s report said: “The department believes that there is suitable public parking – particularly along the Mangrove Bay Road area – as well as adequate public transport and pedestrian facilities in the vicinity of the development.

“In addition, the applicant owns the neighbouring property to the east, which contains a sizeable parking area which can be utilised for overflow parking.”

The officer added that the proposed design was “not overbearing” and “compatible with the Bermuda image”.

The plans were approved by Victoria Pereria, the Director of Planning, on January 14.

The Somerset Country Squire closed in 2020 and Donald Hassell, a chef who had owned the Mangrove Bay institution since 1988, died in March last year.