Brandeston, near Framlingham, residents up in arms over plans to turn village’s only pub, The Queen, into a home

Residents in and around a village near Framlingham are furious over plans that could see their only pub turned into a home.

Two weeks ago, East Suffolk Council received a planning application from Mr and Mrs M Cunningham, which sought to turn The Queen, in Brandeston, into a house.

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.

However, 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.

The only work conducted at the property would be inside, which would be ‘minor’ and not require planning permission, the applicant said. The plans, then, will look into whether the change of use is acceptable.

Despite this, a number of residents and local leaders – including an MP – expressed opposition to the plans.

In a letter to East Suffolk Council’s planning head, Dan Poulter, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, said a considerable number of residents contacted him about the application.

The pub, which dates to at least 1447, was thriving before it shut and provided vital community needs, including a pop-up pantry and offering takeaway meals during the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr Poulter said.

Since it shut, a pop-up pub has been hosted at the village hall.

Dr Poulter said: “The Brandeston Queen is listed as an asset of community value and I share the extreme disappointment and concern of residents that an application has been submitted to change the pub into a residential dwelling.

“[The pop-up facility] is very well supported, which further evidences the need to retain the presence of a pub in the village.”

As of today, 33 objections to the plans have been lodged, and online petitions have been created by residents on social media in a bid to raise awareness and save the pub.

Mark Cunningham, who lives at the pub, submitted a letter to support the plans, although he did not make a comment.

Cllr Vince Langdon-Morris, who represents Framlingham for East Suffolk Council, also objected to the plans.

He said Mr Cunningham received an enforcement inspection, and communications from the authority – and the councillor has followed up with the council to ask when an enforcement order would be issued.

When asked by SuffolkNews, an East Suffolk Council spokesperson said: “A planning enforcement investigation took place and following this, a planning application has now been submitted for consideration.”

One resident to object was Andrew Locke, who frequented the pub since 1990.

Mr Locke told SuffolkNews: “Our goal is to save our pub. The Queen had been under the control of a family until last year – and for the last two months, due to them having new managers, it was always heaving.

“Mr Cunningham said he offered to let the community buy the pub – however, we’re a small village of about 250 people. A lot of us work, so we would have no time or money to run a busy pub.

“However, we want to support one, and based on how well the pop-up pub is doing, there’s a real appetite for a pub in the village – and we’re concerned we could lose it forever.”

Mr Locke felt as thought the new landlords did not try to reopen it to test its viability as a business.

In his letter to the council, Mr Locke added: “The Queen has always been a valued amenity to the residents of Brandeston.

“There is no reason it cannot be profitable again under the right management.

“The presumption that the population do not visit is untrue, proved by the attendance to the pop-up pub and meeting neighbours at other pubs in the area.”

A man who lives in Brandeston, having moved to the village three years ago, said the pub had a strong reputation, was much-loved and was vital for the community.

He described the new plans as a ‘cynical act’.

Another man, who has lived in the village for 27 years, said the application confirmed his suspicions that the village could lose its pub.

He said the popularity of the village’s pop-up pub shows residents were eager for a local.

The resident added: “There was a lot of interest in buying the pub but I suspect purchasers were put of by the high purchase price.

“I hope you will note my strong objection to this application.

“We want our pub back.”

SuffolkNews attempted to contact Mr Cunningham for comment, but was unable to get in touch.