Plans to flip the location of a Brighton pub’s distinctive green tiles and convert it into a cafe or shop have been refused.
Millionaire Charlie Southall has been ordered to replace the tiles he ripped off two years ago by this July.
Earlier this year, he submitted two applications. The other one proposed restoring the tiles and keeping the pub open, but created a separate entrance to the flat above. That one is still awaiting a decision.
Planning officer Steven Dover wrote that he was recommending the refusal of the flipped tiles application because it would mean the historic value of the pub’s design would be lost.
He also said Mr Southall had failed to prove the continued use as a pub was unviable.
He said: “These proposed works would entail the total loss of the original tiles, and alterations to every other architectural detail on the principal elevations.
“The proposed external alterations would diminish the architectural, design and artistic interest, historic and evidential interest, and also the historic intactness of the building and would then result in such loss that the significance of the locally listed asset is entirely lost in heritage terms.”
He added: “The local community has asserted that the existing building and public house use adds value to the local community, not just in relation to the public house use, but also the
appearance of and history of the building itself in the streetscene.”
His report noted there had been 13 comments objecting to the plans, on the basis that the pub and the tiles would be lost.
Other reasons given were that objectors had no confidence in the developer and that there were false statements in the supporting documents.
The Brighton pub was made an asset of community value (ACV) after a resident group, the Friends of the Montreal Arms, applied to the council to nominate it for protection from sale.
If the former pub were to be put on the market, the ACV listing means it cannot be sold for six months to give residents a chance to raise funds to make an offer themselves – although that offer does not have to be accepted.
Mr Southall, who bought the former pub in February 2022, was issued with a stop notice by Brighton and Hove City Council after he ripped off its distinctive green tiles in March 2022, followed by an enforcement notice requiring them to be restored.
In July last year, a planning inspector dismissed Mr Southall’s appeal against the notice, and ruled that he has until July this year to put the tiles back up.
The council has also implemented new planning rules which state that before a change of use for a pub is agreed, the owner must demonstrate it has been offered for lease or sale at a reasonable rate for two years with no interest.
Good, now maybe the pub will be restored to its former glory. The arrogance of the owner beggars belief. Just get it done, properly.
I agree. When did you last visit this lovely pub?
I’ve casually walked past this pub hundreds of times before this guy wrecked the tiles and yes the tiles were a texture and colour that made them an interesting feature to walk last, and an enjoyable part of the area. I’ll point out that the Greta mural was up for how long before this guy caused this mess, a few weeks? A few months? Less? I don’t know if he not only got triggered by the local response to his crap but also the mural, resulting in this mess he’s created.
Good that we value our heritage. I looked into it and DARWEN TERRACOTTA & FAIENCE Are a company that can get this nicely restored. It’s not an impossible task!
I think this fellow is just trying to delay the inevitable cost of special replacement tiles
Yeah, I wouldn’t put it past this gentlemen based in his actions so far to try to cut costs with a cheap knock off.
Good… the arrogance of this twit!
I fully agree with your slightly misspelled comment.
Good to hear!
His disdain for the original tiling of the exterior of the pub is abhorrent. There should be a register of building offenders for people like Southall, so they can be disbarred from buying heritage properties like the Montreal Arms.
Its a real shame that this historic pub has just been left ruined by this developer, who still seems determined to wriggle out of taking responsibility for the damage he has done. Sadly, it probably won’t be a pub again – when he does get to develop the poor old building, he’ll make alot of money- these guys always seem to end up on top. I guess we’ll never know whether he was serious about becoming a much-loved local character and giving it over to Ukrainian refugees.
It’s going to cost him a lot. I’ve been trying to work out the cost of those. Even going with conservative modern ones at £50-100 per tile, it being roughly 20×8 on one section, just eyeballing the picture, and roughly applying that to every part, I wouldn’t be surprised to see this cost in the region of £144,000 as a starting point.
Someone else is probably a lot better than I to verify this.
Which is why you do your homework before vandalising the valuable and historical exterior of your property.
I hope the council stick to their guns and make this arrogant, petulant man-toddler make good on the vandalism he did. It was a deliberate act of destruction because he didn’t get his way. He needs taking down a peg or two.
Will it do a “West Pier”….?
Not sure this what helps. The insurance value of this pub will have fallen through the floor due to the tile removal and associated replacement cost issues and the police wil know whose door to knock on if there is a fire and arson carries a huge prison sentence.
Cast your minds back a couple of years. The Dyke Road pub was in a similar situation with a rogue developer, and so the council took the measure of slapping a Grade II Listing on the property.
The Montreal Arms is Locally Listed, but it may be that the council decide to do the same here and up the Listing to Grade II, which means greater protection for the elevations and interior, totally closes down the argument, and this narcissist can then go to prison if he doesn’t play ball.
He’s a fool, because if his actions result in a Grade II Listing, the value of the property will plummet. Nobody wants them.