Ex-landlord raises concerns over work on former pub

Andy Simmonds, who was involved with the pub for 22 years, said it was a real "hub of the community"

The former landlord of a pub says he is concerned about the building's future as work on it begins before planning permission is granted.

The Ploughman opened at the Werrington Centre, Peterborough, in 1982 but closed early last year after a legal battle between landlord Andy Simmonds and the previous owner of the building, Melbourne Leisure Holdings.

A failed planning application was recently resubmitted by current owner Gujjar Investments to convert it into a smaller sports bar and three shops.

A Peterborough City Council spokesperson said: "Internal works or external works that do not affect the external appearance of the building do not require planning permission."

Work has started on the inside of the building

Mr Simmonds said the interior had been stripped and the company had allegedly knocked down the front exterior wall.

"What they want to do inside the building is completely their choice, but to remove the front part of the pub without consent I think is a step too far," he said.

The building is registered as a Building of Architectural Interest.

The council told the Local Democracy Reporting Service there was risk associated with external changes made to a building while a planning application was pending.

The front of the former Ploughman is currently boarded up

Mohammed Billal, director of Gujjar Investments, said: "We're there to develop the place and move forward.

"Planning is in process as we speak. We have the relevant teams out there that know what they're doing and are carrying out their job.

"It's not our first project. We do many projects in Peterborough and we have good plans lined up for the premises which will help the local economy and bring more jobs to the area. We just want to get moving forward with it."

The building's first application was refused in April because of a failure to justify the loss of a community facility as well as noise and parking concerns.

The fresh application, which was submitted on 24 July, is intended to address those issues.

Nick Thulbourn, the city council's cabinet member for growth and regeneration, said: "We understand there may be concern for seeing works undertaken whilst there is a live planning application in with the local planning authority.

"Any works that are deemed unacceptable will have to be made good."