CONCERNS have been raised over the potential for a former pub to lose its historic character and become "bog standard" after work to turn it into a block of flats got underway. 

The Foundry Arms pub, in Artillery Street, New Town, closed its doors during the coronavirus pandemic, much to the disappointment of punters. 

Then, in 2021, developers Ramakrishnaiah Muli was given the go-ahead to convert the watering hole into two flats split over two floors - but there were conditions.

One of these was the “proposed replacement windows shall be exact replicas" of its existing windows, so they have an “appearance appropriate to the character of the building”.

Gazette: Before - The Foundry Arms seen in April 2019Before - The Foundry Arms seen in April 2019 (Image: Google Maps)

Another condition was the “precise details” of any external facing construction or material needed to be approved “in writing” by the local planning authority.

However, some residents fear these conditions have not been upheld.

One neighbour said: “The pub has now been completely rendered with bog standard UPVC windows.

“Artillery Street is a pretty late 19th century worker’s street and the pub elevates the street and gives it visual interest, making it even more important.”

They also said people do need places to live, but the conversion to flats was only ever supposed to be internal and not external.

Gazette: Closed - The former pub in June 2023Closed - The former pub in June 2023 (Image: Google Maps)

Robert Mercer from the Colchester Civic Society, added: "It is a flagrant disregard of the planning permission stipulations.

"I know the site well having worked on the pub during my working life and I wrote the piece in the application from the society.

"It is not a beautiful building but it is very much a part of the historic fabric of the area and deserves to be treated with respect."

Bosses at Colchester Council have now said they investigate all complaints about possible breaches of planning control.

A spokesman said: “If a breach is identified that justifies further action, the person responsible for the breach will be informed.

"We will give them advice about how to remedy the breach. Not all complaints or breaches justify further action depending on the expediency of the breach and the wider public interest.”