Licensee prosecuted for breach of planning laws

A licensee is awaiting sentencing after being prosecuted for carrying out alterations to his Grade II-listed pub without obtaining planning permission.

Terry Blakesley bought the Three Tuns in Bungay, Suffolk, in November last year and carried out work to deal with a damp problem that was resulting in an unstable cellar floor. He put in new steel supports and removed a wall.

The pub dates back to 1540 and has a cellar bar that includes walls that are thought have originally belonged to Bungay Castle.

Waveney District Council pressed for charges for the removal of historic masonry and plasterwork and raising the level of the cellar floor.

Blakesley told Lowestoft Magistrates Court he did not know the building was listed. However the council has said that, after it became aware of the work in December 2008, Blakesley was told he needed listed building consent and given a deadline of April to apply for it, which he failed to meet.

Waveney District Council's prosecutor Vicky Nutley said: "The works have been carried out and there is nothing we can do to restore the building's historic fabric.

"When you carry out work on a listed building without permission, there is always a possibility of prosecution. But if [the licensee] had worked with us we probably would not have taken that step.

"If you own a listed building you should always talk to a planning and conservation officer who will let you know what you can and can't do. But, to be honest, there is very little you can do without permission."

Robert Hill from the Historic Building Advisory Service, which specialises in advice on the conservation, restoration and repair of historic buildings, said: "This is not an unusual occurrence. The penalty is potentially an unlimited fine. Ignorance is not a defence, so ask your pub company, check your searches if you are a freeholder or call your local planning office to find out if you're listed."

Blakesley is to be sentenced next week.