An enforcement notice has been issued on the owners of a pub after it was alleged it is being used as house. 

Whatling Building Limited, which owns The Six Bells in Gislingham, has been served with the notice by Mid Suffolk District Council after it appeared they breached planning regulations. 

The document sent to the owner, as well as occupiers Mr A Whatling and Ms Woodrow, states the pub is being used as a house despite not being granted planning permission. 

Plans to convert the pub were refused in 2022Plans to convert the pub were refused in 2022 (Image: Google Maps)

"The building has not been open as a public house since the current owners acquired it and started to occupy it as their home in October 2021," it reads. 

"Notwithstanding responses to planning contravention notices, the council considers on the balance of probability that there has been a material change of use as alleged."

The Six Bells is listed as an asset of community value. 

A planning application to convert the pub into a veterinary practice was submitted in November 2021. 

Cllr Rowland WarboysCllr Rowland Warboys (Image: Mid Suffolk District Council)

This was rejected in March 2022, with more than 100 comments received in response to the application. 

An appeal was launched by the applicant, although this was dismissed in May 2023 by the planning inspectorate. 

As a result of the enforcement notice, the owners have been given 12 months to stop using it as a house unless it is being as a pub.

It is understood those issued with the enforcement notice are appealing against it.  

Councillor Rowland Warboys, Mid Suffolk District Councillor for Gislingham, said: "It is a very unfortunate situation. Obviously the couple who have bought the pub planned to open a vets, but they have been unable to get a change of use for the property.

"There is a strong movement in village to run it as a public house. There is a village action group which is looking at ways to reopen it as a pub."