Council heritage officer warns that revamp for popular Cleethorpes watering hole might harm its 'Tudor' look

                                                           

Bill Parkinson feels the current front of his pub-brewery looks 'dilapidated' 

A NOTE of caution has been sounded on a proposed facelift for Willys pub and brewery on Cleethorpes seafront.

At a meeting on Wednesday of next week, members of North East Lincolnshire Council's planning committee will decide whether to grant consent for their colleague, Cllr Bill Parkinson, to change the windows and doors and install a permanent canopy at the front.

He believes this will smarten up the look of the the premises which he fears have become somewhat 'dilapidated'.

But the authority's heritage officer, Louise Jennings, has reservations about what is being proposed.

In a report, she states: "Willys was built approximately in the 1940s so it does not have a significant age unlike many of the buildings surrounding it. 

"However, it does make a significant positive contribution to the Cleethorpes coastal conservation area.

"Tudor-style half timbered buildings with brick or plaster infills have been in and out of fashion since the Tudor period. 

"The most significant recent revival was c.1918-1955, and Willys was built during this period. 

"Since then, there have been lots of nods to this type of building in modern domestic architecture, the most obvious being non structural decorative timber in the walls and eaves of gable ends.

"Willys is a particularly fine example of this period of Tudor revival and occupies a prominent corner position in the resort. It is a highly recognisable landmark building."

Ms Jennings continues: "This application seeks to alter some of the existing fenestration and create a permanent canopy on the front elevation.

"The changing of the fenestration, to my mind, creates no issues, though it may be better to infill the area below the windows with herringbone brick, which is what the original construction was."

She goes on: "However, the permanent canopy is more problematic.

"At the moment, there is a small shelter attached to the bar, this does not contribute positively to the building and does obscure slightly the 'legibility' of the first floor. 

"To create the proposed type of structure, no matter how well done, will obscure the jettied nature of the first floor which, arguably, is the most important element of a Tudor revival building." 

Ms Jennings concludes: "I would fully support a retractable canopy which could provide shelter when the bar is open or weather is inclement."

Cllr Parkinson is a member of the committee but, though he has the option of making a presentation on his proposal, he will not take part in any subsequent debate or vote.

It is possible that the committee might favour a site visit in advance of a decision being made, but this is thought to be unlikely.

The NELC planning case officer, Lauren Birkwood, is recommending approval.

                                                          

The heritage officer thinks a permanent canopy will compromise the jettied Tudor-style  frontage 

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