Concern have been raised over alleged unauthorised works to the Grade II listed Angel Inn in Westbury town centre.
Members of the public, councillors and the Westbury Heritage Society have reported that the historic building is being extensively altered without apparent consent, with floors, fireplaces and fixtures removed from the ground floor.
The historic property, on Church Street, was recently closed and is believed to have been sold to new owners.
Westbury Heritage Society has expressed concern to Wiltshire councillors, saying, “We are very concerned that many original and historic features are being destroyed. The Angel is a Grade II listed building within a conservation area. There has been an inn on this site since at least the middle of the sixteenth century and the building may be even older. It was formerly a coaching inn and has played an integral part in the town’s history over hundreds of years.”
Westbury Town Council has also written to Wiltshire Council, noting that no planning application appears to have been submitted and describing the works as extensive.
At a Highways, Planning and Development Committee meeting on 15th December, town councillors discussed the concerns and the council said they are still awaiting a response from Wiltshire Council. Some members criticised Wiltshire Council for not acting quickly enough.
Cllr Mike Sutton said: “I think we should make a much more formal response. This is ridiculous. The whole point of having protected buildings is that you don’t damage them because they’re listed. If the planning officer can’t get round to it for six weeks then the damage is done. I feel very strongly about this. It’s part of our heritage for Westbury.”
Gordon King added, “They are taking too lax and blasé an approach.”
Wiltshire Councillor Boaz Barry has also been in contact with the Wiltshire Council Planning Enforcement Team regarding the issue after residents contacted him with concerns.
Cllr Adrian Foster, Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning and Development Management, said, “We have received a number of complaints about work being carried out to the Angel Inn in Westbury. A site visit has taken place, and our conservation officers have been consulted. We are in conversation with the owners and are working towards a resolution.”
