Brighton pub to be turned into housing

A Brighton pub looks likely to be turned into two houses if planning permission is granted.

Plans have been submitted to convert the London Unity, in Islingword Road, Brighton, on the corner of Hanover Terrace, into a three-bedroom house and a two-bedroom house.

CIP (Hampstead), part of the London-based Central Investment Properties business, has submitted a planning application to Brighton and Hove City Council. A decision is due next month.

CIP is a father and daughter property company, run by Lewis and Emma Davis. It is working with Arch-Angels Architects, in Edward Street, Brighton, on the project.

According to the planning application form, the pub is still owned by Enterprise Inns, but the two companies are believed to have exchanged contracts.

The deal is not believed to be subject to planning permission and completion is expected in December when the pub is likely to close for good.

Enterprise instructed two estate agents, Fludes, of New Road, Brighton, and Fleurets, of Boundary Road, Hove, to market the property.

Fludes said that it would “suit alternative uses” and invited offers in the region of £375,000 for the premises, with vacant possession.

Enterprise owns a number of rival pubs in the Hanover area, including the Greys and the Geese, both in Southover Street.

Earlier this year a campaign to Save the London Unity was set up. It has more than 400 Twitter followers, including Caroline Lucas, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, and Mike Weatherley, the Conservative MP for Hove.

Other followers include Labour peer Lord Bassam of Brighton, formerly council leader Steve Bassam, and the former Green council leader Bill Randall, who represents Hanover and Elm Grove.

Other councillors following on Twitter are Emma Daniel, who won the recent Hanover and Elm Grove for Labour, and the former Green deputy leader of the council, Phélim Mac Cafferty.

Another Enterprise pub, the Hare and Hounds at Preston Circus, has been marketed by the company as a going business and is under offer with an annual guide rent of £25,000.