The Kings Head pub, a grade two listed building in the heart of Pulham St Mary has been saved from potential, unlawful demolition following action by South Norfolk Council.
The Council was granted an injunction at the High Court on Wednesday, preventing the owner, Mr Scott, from knocking down the historic public house. The Kings Head sits in a conservation area in middle of the picturesque village.
The owner of the pub, who wants to build houses on the site, has repeatedly been refused permission to demolish the listed building. However, the owner planned to push ahead with the demolition forcing the council to seek an injunction from the High Court to prevent this important building from being lost forever.
Leader of South Norfolk Council, Daniel Elmer said: “The historic towns and villages of South Norfolk are a valuable asset for us all. We have tried to work with the owner of the Kings Head, but it is the Council’s duty to protect our listed buildings and the conservation areas in South Norfolk from harm. When we were made aware that Mr Scott was planning to demolish the pub we had to act to save the building and that is exactly what we did.”
Local District Councillor, Clayton Hudson said: “We have to find a way forward and where there’s a will, there’s a way. I appeal to Mr Scott to sit down with members of the community, officers from the council and myself to collectively work to develop a plan to bring this wonderful, listed building back to its former glory. The community achieved great things with the former Pennoyer school over 15 years ago so I have no doubt of their ability to make similar things happen again.”
In 2024, following Mr Sott’s latest application nearly 1,000 people signed a petition in protest.
At the time the council’s decision to refuse concluded: “The proposed demolition would result in the total loss of the grade II listed King’s Head public house and would result in harm to the significance of the conservation area. There is an absence of any clear and convincing justification for the scheme, including any benefit to the community.
“The applicant has failed to provide sufficient information to demonstrate that the public house, a community facility, could not be brought back into use as a public house or similar community use.”
