Queen's Head High Green: Developer facing action over 'unauthorised' changes to beloved former Sheffield pub
A developer is facing action from Sheffield Council over unauthorised changes which have been made to a former Sheffield pub.
Sheffield Council has confirmed it is lining up a legal notice to be served over what was once The Queen’s Head pub, in High Green.
High Green’s local councillors Mike Levery, Ann Whitaker and Alan Hooper have raised the issue and written to residents raising their concerns over the changes, which they say have sparked a significant number of complaints locally.
Sheffield Council told The Star in a statement: “There has been a breach of planning control.
“An Enforcement Notice is being drafted and will be served in relation to the unauthorised alterations that have been carried out to the front of the building.”
Couns Levery, Whitaker, and Hooper said in a joint statement: “We are particularly concerned that this building is in an Area of Special Character, and the ground floor mullioned windows have been removed. It was expected that the successful conversion of the Market Inn to residential would be repeated.”
However, they acknowledged that the building had been sold by the person who originally applied for the planning permission.
The Queen’s Head’s is one of a number of former pubs where alterations to the building has hit the headlines in the city in recent weeks.
The pubs pressure group Campaign for Real Ale recently raised concerns over changes made former inns including the Big Gun, the Highcliffe Club, the Royal Oak (Mosborough) and the Royal Standard.
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Coun Ben Miskell, chairman of the Sheffield Council Transport, Regeneration and Climate Policy Committee, said: “Pubs and working men’s clubs are a vital part of our shared heritage and community life, and every effort needs to be made to keep them open for the benefit of the community they serve.
“In the incredibly unfortunate event of one closing, it is vitally important that the new owners follow the correct process when planning permission is required, breaking planning rules will lead to the council taking a robust approach and use all the powers available to us.
“We also work closely with residents across the city to protect valued community buildings from village shops and community centres to local pubs - including by registering them as Assets of Community Value. Developers must respect Sheffield’s heritage, including the importance of our public houses.”