Category: Heritage

The national Planning Inspectorate has recently upheld an appeal against the second (2020) Sheffield City Council (SCC) planning decision to refuse the demolition of the Plough Inn (Sandygate Road, Crosspool, Sheffield). As the local Community Group puts it:

‘It’s time to say goodbye to the Plough. The Planning Inspector has upheld Spacepad’s appeal, and the pub will now be demolished, and the site redeveloped. The Planning Inspector reached the conclusion that there was no realistic prospect of the pub reopening. It is a sad ending for our campaign, but we feel we did everything we could to save this piece of Sheffield’s heritage. We would like to thank everyone who supported our campaign over the years.’

The Inspector has accepted that the pub is not a viable commercial proposition, that it has been properly marketed and that there are suitable alternatives close enough by. Both the local Community Group and CAMRA Sheffield & District believes that all these judgements are highly contentious.

This is the latest twist in a saga which commenced, almost a decade ago, when the previous owners, Enterprise Inns (Ei), decided to deliberately run-down their historically important asset before closure in 2015. Two years later, a planning application to SCC to turn the site into a branch of Sainsbury’s was rejected. The pub company then refused to sell to the Plough Community Benefit Society Ltd. (PCBS), a local Community Group and instead, sold to a property developer. They, in turn, allowed the condition of the building to deteriorate: there has been no serious maintenance work. Ei and the subsequent owners, Spacepad UK, left the pub to rot.

The site deteriorated to such an extent that it became the subject of a Planning Enforcement enquiry regarding unauthorised use as a waste disposal facility and a storage site for unregistered vehicles. It was Spacepad who, according to SCC Planning Enforcement, used the land ‘to store unwanted building materials, a caravan, a JCB type digger, a static cabin, trailers, pallets, a fork truck, vehicles, building and non-building materials and other paraphernalia.’ An Enforcement Notice was recommended.

The Planning Appeal Form completed by Spacepad, makes much of the poor condition of the building, blaming ‘vandalism, burglary and fly tipping.’ Many believe that this is a red herring: the current poor condition of the building and site is solely the fault of the owners. Planning law places responsibility for the condition of the site with the owner. By law, the building should have been maintained in a fit and proper condition for its permitted use as a public house: the owners have not carried out this legal obligation.

At the time of the purchase from Ei, an independent report, commissioned by PCBS demonstrated that, for the pub to reopen, no major building work was required and that internal refitting costs were manageable within a realistic business plan. Currently, the Plough would require substantial refurbishment before it could be brought back into use. A figure of ~£450.000 is quoted in the Appellant Statement. The owners have failed to make this investment and have failed to reinstate the property.

Dave Pickersgill, Pub Protection Officer for CAMRA Sheffield & District states: ‘The recent planning application and the appeal documents do not provide any evidence to suggest the building is not viable as a public house. The developer states that no offers were received to lease the pub. This was because it was offered for a completely unrealistic rent of £50,000 pa. In 2019, average rents in this area were between £24,000 and £29,000. In addition, this planning application would see the Plough replaced by eight houses, none of which would be affordable housing.’

The recent planning history of a site is also a relevant consideration in planning decisions. In 2017, the local authority rejected Sainsbury’s application for change of use based on the Plough’s listing as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) and it accepted that there were no alternative community facilities within a reasonable distance. In 2018, following the sale of the Plough, the local authority re-listed the pub as an ACV. As there have been no material changes in the reasons why the Plough was listed as an ACV, this should have remained an overriding consideration in any decision.

The Plough was rebuilt in 1929 and is an important example of an inter war public house which, according to Historic England, are ‘rare and overlooked buildings’. National planning policy recognises the importance of protecting historic assets and their ‘setting.’ This was confirmed in the decision of the local authority to refuse the application from Sainsbury’s.

According to Historic England, about 3,000 pubs were built during the inter-war years. Very few survive. A recent study finding that inter-war pubs are under greater threat of disappearing than pubs of any other date.

In short, as this appeal was allowed, it implies:

• the Secretary of State ignores local community opinion
• if a developer allows a historic building to slowly decay: eventually, they will be given permission to demolish.

The covid pandemic has highlighted the importance of local community facilities and high streets, both of which contribute to supporting vibrant, successful and sustainable communities. The Plough, ran as a community pub, could bring countless economic and social benefits to the area. It also has the added attraction of its key place in the history of world football – it is adjacent to the site of the official first inter-club football game: Hallam v Sheffield at Sandygate (26 December 1860) and has played a part in the development of football. A small internal museum would not have been inappropriate.

1695	The Plough opens as a public house
1897	Tennant Brothers acquire the lease to the Plough and the adjacent sports ground
1929	The Plough Inn is rebuilt
1969	The lease is assigned to Whitbread who become Patron of Hallam FC
2003	Enterprise Inns acquire the pub
2015	Closure of The Plough Inn by Enterprise Inns (Ei)
2015	The Plough Inn achieves ACV status
2017	Planning application from Ei to replace the building by a mini-supermarket is refused by SCC
2017	Ei refuse to sell the pub to a local Community group, instead selling to a property company, Spacepad
2018	The Plough Inn achieves ACV status for the second time
2020	Planning application from Spacepad to demolish and replace by flats, is refused by SCC
2021	An appeal by Spacepad to the planning refusal is upheld by Planning Inspectorate

The Maison du Biere in Elsecar is now selling copies of our guide to Sheffield pubs with surviving heritage features and editor Dave Pickersgill will be visiting for a book signing event on Saturday 11 December from 2pm to 4pm.

The South Yorkshire Local Heritage List identifies heritage assets that are valued as contributing to the distinctiveness and history of South Yorkshire but that are not protected by statutory national designations, such as Listing or Scheduling. Inclusion on the Local Heritage List can allow the more local significance of a building, place or site to be taken into account in planning decisions that affect it or its setting. It does not provide the same level of protection as national designation, but will be of assistance when planning applications are submitted.

Sheffield and District CAMRA has ensured that pubs mentioned in the recently published book, Sheffield’s Real Heritage Pubs which are not nationally listed or in a Conservation Area, have been put forward for the Local Heritage List. However, this leaves many pubs which are not listed – possibly your local?

From the website, you can view the existing list, see the assessment criteria and nominate candidates. Please make sure your favourite heritage buildings are nominated!

In September, as part of Heritage Open Days and Sheffield Walking Festival, we led two pub heritage walks. These were the first such events since 13 March 2020, the evening which saw my last pub visit for almost six months: a final beer in the Wellington.

The first walk commenced in the lounge at Fagan’s, in a room which, 200 years ago was a tenement adjacent to the Rawsons-owned, Barrel pub. The name change came in 1985 when long serving landlord, Joe Fagan retired and current occupants, Barbara and Tom Boulding took over the reins. We then progressed along Bailey Lane to both the Dog & Partridge and the Grapes. The latter is the best remaining example of a Rawsons pub while the Dog has a small intimate snug which, in the 1974, almost became a gents toilet. Then it was the sights of West Street before finishing in the CAMRA National Inventory-listed, Bath Hotel: a pub which is (almost) unchanged since the 1931 Ind Coope renovation.

Two days later, we commenced in the Fat Cat, the pub that, when opened in 1981, doubled the number of different cask beers available in Sheffield. Then to Shalesmoor, passing both ex- and current pubs and breweries before finishing at the original home of ‘Blanco,’ Sheffield Brewery Company with both a brewery tour and a welcome drink. The latter was from the bar which was originally at the now-demolished Sheffield University Ranmoor Hall. They also have an interesting selection of branded bricks as part of the recent outside development.

Thanks to the 37 participants and all who assisted. Future walks are planned for Sheffield Beer Week in March and again, next September.

The 4th edition of the Sheffield Real Heritage Pubs Book is now in print. 1000 copies of the 112-page A5 book (£6.99) are available both via mail and in an increasing number of local outlets. 

Paul Ainsworth, the Chair of the National CAMRA Pub Heritage group says; ‘For almost forty years, CAMRA has developed its national inventory (NI) of historic pub interiors. This publication portrays the rich tapestry of Sheffield’s pubs: from the nationally important to those where what remains, even if fragmented, should be cherished.’

A recent series of book-signing events for four of our sponsors provided lots of positive feedback, as have responses from mail-order buyers. For example, Andy Brown, from Poole in Dorset commented: ‘I’ve received my book today …. it looks superb …. well done on the publication,’ while ex-CAMRA Good Beer Guide Editor, Jeff Evans commented, ‘Good to see this new edition celebrating the finest pubs in a great beer city.’

Local stockists include both beer-outlets and bookshops:

• Abbeydale Brewery (mail order), Beer Central, Blind Monkey, Bradfield Brewery Shop, Chantry Inn, Coach and Horses (Barnburgh, Doncaster), Crow Inn, Dog and Partridge, Draughtsman (Doncaster), Fat Cat, Friendship (Stocksbridge), Samuels’ Kitchen (Stocksbridge), Maison du Biere (Elsecar), Princess Royal, White Lion
• Beer Inn Print (mail order), Biblioteka (Kommune), Kelham Island Books & Music, Kelham Island Museum, Millennium Gallery, New Chapter Books, Rhyme and Reason, the Sheffield Shop, Watson Park Museum

If you want to order, (by post): £7.95 (UK), £9.95 (non-UK) – email pubheritage@sheffield.camra.org.uk for the detail. 

The 4th edition is also available as a free download:

https://sheffield.camra.org.uk/SheffieldsRealHeritagePubs.pdf

Thanks again to all who assisted with this publication: many individuals, the National CAMRA Pub Heritage Group, Sheffield Archives and the sponsors for their help. Also to Andy Shaw for the design and Mick Slaughter for many of the photos.

The 4th edition of the Sheffield’s Real Heritage Pubs Book arrived from the printers in late September (1000 copies, A5, 112 pages, £6.99 rrp). Compared to the third edition, this edition includes ninety new images, plus many text changes.

Paul Ainsworth, the Chair of the National CAMRA Pub Heritage group says; ‘For almost forty years, CAMRA has developed its national inventory (NI) of historic pub interiors. These highlight the crème de la crème which have either escaped much alteration or contain features of exceptional interest. We are aware that below the NI are a host of interiors which still offer a great deal worth seeing. The pioneering work carried out in Sheffield to locate and record these pubs has been an inspiring exercise. This publication portrays the rich tapestry of Sheffield’s pubs: from the nationally important to those where what remains, even if fragmented, should be cherished. A bonus, of course, is that many of these pubs sell great real ale.’

At the time of writing, the following local outlets have agreed to sell copies directly:

• Abbeydale Brewery
• Bath Hotel
• Beer Central, Moor Market
• Beer Inn Print (mail order)
• Biblioteka, Kommune
• Bradfield Brewery Shop
• Crow Inn
• Dog and Partridge
• Fat Cat
• Friendship, Stocksbridge
• Kelham Island Books and Music, Shalesmoor
• Maison du Biere, Elsecar Heritage Centre
• New Chapter Books
• Rhyme and Reason
• the Sheffield Shop
• White Lion

Copies will also be available at four book signing events which are part of the Sheffield Beer Festival on tour event.

If you want to stock copies to sell or order a copy, contact pubheritage@sheffield.camra.org.uk

The 4th edition is also now available as a free download: https://sheffield.camra.org.uk/SheffieldsRealHeritagePubs.pdf.

The fourth edition of the Sheffield’s Real Heritage Pubs is scheduled to go to print in mid-September (1000 copies, A5, 116 pages). For details of pre-orders and retail possibilities, please contact pubheritage@sheffield.camra.org.uk. The second edition was available as both a printed version and a free download. The third edition is currently available as a free download at sheffield.camra.org.uk/rhp. Full details of local availability will be available in the next edition of Beer Matters.

For almost half a century, CAMRA has worked to identify, support and protect the UK’s most historic pubs through its national inventory: pubs that are wholly or mostly unchanged or retain important historic rooms or features from over fifty years ago.

Since then, hundreds of pubs have been restored or created in buildings previously used for something else. There have also been new-build pubs that are worthy of admiration and recognition. The Outstanding Conversions and Restorations (OCR) Project identifies and promotes such interiors of outstanding architectural and/or design quality, pubs which are great places to enjoy a drink in splendid surroundings.

The website ocrpubs.camra.org.uk highlights almost two hundred pubs from across the UK that are magnificent conversions or glorious restorations. There are also stunning new builds and a handful of pubs in museums.

As Project Manager, Gerry Hahlo, puts it; ‘all these pubs are the work of dedicated individuals, and pub companies who know the value of excellent design and have created great spaces in which people want to drink and socialise. Some show off their architectural merit by sympathetically converting historic buildings such as banks and cinemas while others recreate painstaking replicas of the glories of yesteryear.’

One example is a former Tetley house, the ex-Firwood Cottage (Sheffield S6 2WA): the Blind Monkey opened in Spring 2018 after a period of closure and deterioration. Dating back to 1846, the building was originally a small village shop that sold bottled beer. It later became a pub. Over the years, it was opened out from smaller rooms into an open-plan design. Taken on by Speakeasy Company, the owners of the nearby Don Valley Brewery, the derelict shell was gutted, and the interior was taken back to the multi-roomed 1890s: most materials used are reclaimed items dating back to the Edwardian and Victorian periods.

Gordon Jones, Director, describes the project as, ‘a labour of love. We wanted to showcase both our architectural and design skills. We rebuilt; we divided the once-open snug area by glass partitions to display whiskies. The fireplace and chimney were opened-up and a reclaimed parquet flooring was renovated and laid down in the main areas of the pub, complemented by original tiling near the bar areas. We also used reclaimed light fittings sourced from as far as Mumbai to as near as Manchester.’ 

The Blind Monkey is an outstanding restoration. Our image, the Old Bank of England (EC4A 2LT) is an outstanding conservation (Thanks to Mick Slaughter for the photograph). There will be many more: hence, we welcome your suggestions: please contact info@ocrpubs.camra.org.uk saying why the pub should be included. But also, please, enjoy these wonderful pubs!