Plans for The Queen, in Brandeston, near Woodbridge and Framlingham, to be changed to a home objected to by parish council

Plans to change the use of a village pub to a home have been unanimously objected to by its parish council.

The Queen, in Brandeston, near Woodbridge and Framlingham, was the subject of an change of use application to East Suffolk Council on December 11, which at present has received 196 public comments, of which only five are in support.

The village’s council met last night to discuss the matter, and when put to a vote all councillors present voted unanimously to reject the plans, sparking loud applause from the members of the public.

Applicants Mr and Mrs M Cunningham were not present at the meeting.

When the meeting turned to representatives’ views, Cllr Richard Ives said: “It seems that recent history proves that if a village loses its pub, it becomes somehow sterile and loses all personality very quickly.

“The Queen has always been a focal point in this area, attracting both holiday makers and local customers.

“It must not be allowed to sink like this.”

The pub closed in November last year, having been owned by the Aitchison family since 2015, and was placed on the market for £500,000.

Its new owners stated in planning documents that the business ‘failed beyond repair’ and cited a ‘lack of financial offer’ – while a viability study conducted by property firm Savills stated the business was unviable in both the short and long term.

Cllr Marian Randell said: “The argument being proposed for the change of use is based on the premise that it’s going to be not a viable proposition to carry on as a business.

“I would just like to highlight the fact that Adnams put an awful lot of money into renovating it and putting a fantastic new bar in at an awful lot of cost.

“I believe it was the second most profitable pub in the Adnams group in Suffolk (at that time) which belies the fact that it couldn’t be an economic proposition going forward.”

Before the councillors gave their perspectives, the floor was opened for a public forum for residents to have their say. Villager Andrew Locke took this moment to thank those who had got involved with the ‘Save Our Pub’ petition, which also received a round of applause.

After the vote for objection, vice-chair Paul Baker, in the absence of regular chairperson Rachel Summers, stated the authority will be putting together a report which will be submitted to East Suffolk Council by February 1.

Cllr Baker said that the parish council would be spending some of its money to hire someone, ‘with a bit more experience in this matter,’ to produce a ‘good, solid report,’ on their behalf.

When he asked the public in attendance how they would feel about the body spending that money, there was broad agreement, and when put to a vote all councillors voted in favour.

Many of the objections to the application East Suffolk Council have come from Brandeston residents, but have also been lodged by individuals with addresses in Reading, Boston, Leeds, Stowmarket, York, Worksop, Ealing, Matlock and Bury St Edmunds

The public comment period on the application closes on January 26.