Inspector backs council’s action to protect local pub

A government-appointed Planning Inspector has upheld an enforcement notice served on the owner of the Montreal Arms in April 2022, subject to minor amendments. The notice was issued to prevent the removal of tiles from the façade of the pub in Hanover.

The owner must now comply with the notice which stated that removal of the green glazed ceramic tiles without permission must stop. It requires him to reinstate the tiles where they had been removed or damaged by the unauthorised work.

The owner now has a year to comply with the requirements of the notice. 

Prompt Enforcement Action

When concerns were raised by residents about the removal of tiles from the pub on 29 March 2022 Council Officers served a Temporary Stop Notice the next day.

Following discussions with the owner and his representatives we then issued the Enforcement Notice and Stop Notice on 20 April as the temporary notice expired.

Locally listed building

The Montreal Arms is included in our Brighton & Hove locally listed buildings register. This means that it has been identified as a heritage asset that is important to the local area and its community.

We have planning policies in place to ensure that any changes requiring planning permission are of a high standard compatible with the character of the building.

The Montreal Arms was also listed on the Brighton & Hove assets of community value register last May.

Committed to protecting our local heritage

Councillor Liz Loughran, Chair of the Planning Committee said; “I am very pleased that the Inspector has backed the prompt actions taken by our Planning team to protect this historic building.

“The Inspector rightly recognised that the tiles are an important part of the character of the Montreal Arms and made a significant contribution to the character of the building. The damage to the tiles has caused a great deal of upset for many in the local community.

“Brighton & Hove has unique historic buildings and we are committed to protecting them by taking swift and effective action against unauthorised building work. This is a great example of how we will take enforcement action to protect our city’s heritage.”

The Appeal

The appeal was lodged in May 2022 and was decided on 17 July this year.

It was made on two grounds with a number of arguments put forward. Both grounds were rejected by the Planning Inspector in full or in part.  A variation was required in respect of the quality of the tiles to be used to replace the damaged ones. These must match the condition of the tiles before the unauthorised work took place.