Controversial plans to turn an old pub into a shared house have been approved. Brighton and Hove City Council has given the green light to the conversion of The Free Butt in Phoenix Place, Brighton, into a seven bedroom house in multiple occupation on the first floor and two one bedroom flats on the top floor. According to the plans submitted in May, the ground floor of the building will be turned into a commercial space.
Neighbours living near The Level submitted four objections to the plans for the derelict pub, calling for the site to retain its community use. One objector wrote: “There is great desire for this building to include some kind of community space, which is much needed in this area - an estate comprised largely of social tenants. “Losing the potential for this site to be used for the benefit of the community would be detrimental to local residents.
“There is an opportunity instead to think strategically about what the community really needs in order to tackle the dominant issues, such as deprivation and antisocial behaviour, and how this site can be used to improve lives.” The Free Butt pub was established in 1821 and was previously situated at the entrance of the former Tamplin’s Brewery. READ MORE: Campaign underway to prevent houses being built on pub site After being passed between various landlords, it was last used as a club, before it closed in 2010 due to noise complaints.
Planning documents describe the building as “virtually derelict” an.