A developer has submitted a fourth bid to convert a pub whch closed after a mass brawl and stabbing into flats.
Hala Management’s first application to convert the Montpelier Inn into homes was refused because it would lead to the loss of a community facility.
It then put in a second application which included a commercial unit at the ground floor, but was withdrawn after strong opposition from neighbours.
In the meantime, Brighton and Hove City Council implemented a policy which requires applicants to demonstrate they have marketed pubs for sale or lease – as a pub – at a reasonable rate with no interest for two years before a change of use will be granted.
So when Hala again submitted plans for a 100% residential scheme again, these were refused because of the two-year marketing policy.
Hala Management is now able to show it has marketed the pub without success for the full two years, and is trying again to convert the building into just flats.
The application, written by Lewis & Co Planning, says: “Following on from the pub’s closure, the site was placed on the open market and was purchased by the applicant in April 2021.
“The pub continues to be offered on the open market and local residents have expressed their strong concerns to the council over the fact the site continues to be marketed as a pub.
“Given the pub’s history of social problems, local residents’ wishes for the site to be put into fully residential use and the fact there are a large number of other pubs within easy walking distance, it is considered that the permanent closure of the pub is the most appropriate use for the site.”
The Montpelier Inn was ordered to shut for three months after a man was stabbed there on 4 November 2020, leaving him in hospital for several weeks.
Sussex Police asked the council to revoke its licence, and a panel subsequently heard the pub had a sideline in hard drugs.
Within weeks, the Grade II listed pub was put up for sale for £900,000 by its owners Stonegate, to the relief of neighbours.
It was sold in April 2021 to Hala Management Ltd, owned by property developer Essam Barakat.
When drug taking and dealing is openly done and ignored by police its impossible to keep them out of our pubs/clubs etc. So until the Police do more they should stop blaming venues. I used to pop into this pub it seemed good to me. But when drugs are so freely available people can be unpredictable so most of the night time economy is at risk due to police failings.
The landlord was dealing from behind the bar and you’re saying don’t blame the venue?
The last landlord possibly, but not the previous landlords over the past 40+ years. With a decent landlord this pub would be a very nice venue.
So just like all the vape shops that have sprung up from nowhere then lol
This pub failed because of corrupt criminal management that lost control.
There is NO reason why this pub can’t be resurrected as a well run local pub valued by the local residence. It has lots of room to include hotel facilities or rentable flats.
The current owners want a quick-buck and have NO other interest.
If it’s such a good proposition then why has no one come forward in the last two years to take it over?
And they can’t just say they marketed it in the plannig application, They have to submit details on how and where they listed the pub, what they did to encourage prospective landlords, if they reduced the rent to encourage them and so on.
Because the owners would bleed it dry of any profit so no-one is willing to invest their time and cash just to earn minimum wage.
It was a fantastic pub with excellent management for many, many years. ‘Drug plagued’ is a bit harsh when that only represents a tiny portion of the pubs history – it was an asset to the community and could be again.
About time it was developed, it’s an eyesore and the pub was terrible, there are plenty of pubs around.
Once developed this should make the area much nicer for us to live in .
I disagree regarding thinking a pub is classed as a community asset. It is a business; alcohol always provides an unsocial element, and you can’t use it without money.
I think housing is a good use of the space here, but as always, the problem will likely be the affordability of the houses built, and the worry of secondary homes and holiday let’s pricing people out of Brighton.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion but your comments strongly suggest that you are no fan of pubs and pub culture. I respect that but it must be appreciated that many people in city centres value pubs and the environment they provide. Most are very social places with the majority of pub goers enjoying alcohol sensibly.
I drank in this particular pub for many years up to around 2014 when the management changed. It was a great meeting place with darts teams (men and women), a golf society and other clubs and teams. It is my view that this could easily be resurrected and to convert it into flats would be the loss of a potentially great future public amenity.
No, that’s a fair comment to make. I’ve never been a big pub goer, it’s true. I’m of the age where they were becoming a bit too pricey compared to staying at home.
I’ve also dealt with the bad side of alcohol consumption professionally in the both the long and short term, so I fully recognise my biases.
Although, it sounds like your experiences with pubs have been a positive one, and whilst I hold my opinion, if the community, the ones that will be using it, are wanting that space to remain as such, then I support that.
Appreciate the amicable discourse too.
miserable git
About time this area was improved, at the moment it is an eyesore, the pub was terrible and there was often trouble, I think once it’s developed as residential the area will be a much nicer place to live .
Pub culture ???? this country still has a smoking problem in pubs never mind the drugs which seem to be available in most “PUB CULTURES”
A smoking problem in pubs. Lol have you left the house in the last decade. You can’t smoke in pubs. I’ve literally never seen anyone get away with it in Brighton. Or even attempted to
Youre not very bright are you, smoking indoors and within 5meters of a public entrance was banned countrywide in 2007.
This used to be a family run pub with a golf society, darts and pool teams & thriving football sides. A lot of charitable events were held here. You could watch sky sports without fear of drugs or violence. Guess what?the brewery put the rent up to an unsustainable level & they moved in new owners who didn’t have a clue, alienated the customers and changed the ethos. Surprise, surprise it didn’t work thus the community asset was lost, along with jobs. It takes a lot of very hard work to construct such an environment but not long to demolish it. The shame lies directly with the brewery and their actions have damaged the fabric of our society in an insidious manner.
Well said Mr McManus.
Brighton police seem to want to close any pub where a crime us committed and stop any pub opening in an area where crime is committed. Mysteriously they close a pub and the crime levels don’t go down just moves to another pub
Does that suggest that the problem for crime is pubs as a general venue/concept in principle? Because, that would explain their outlook.