Pub avoids demolition as it is a ‘heritage asset’

Borough council turns down the demolition plan

A ‘LANDMARK’ roadhouse pub in Hinckley has been saved from demolition for a second time after councillors deemed it a heritage asset.

Proposals were brought forward for a second time to demolish The Prince of Wales Inn on Coventry Road and build a block of 12 apartments in its place.

But planners at Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council have turned down the project, saying that the newbuild would not compensate for the loss of the drinking venue.

A conservation officer at the council said the Prince was a “fine example of a roadhouse pub” and that it is important to a range of communities, as up until recently it was used as a meeting place for several groups.

A similar scheme was applied for last year, which councillors turned down partly because the venue was deemed to be a “community facility”, a view the applicant contested in the more recent proposal.

The conservation officer said in a consultation response: “The building has historic, aesthetic and community value ensuring it is of heritage interest.

“The building, in particular its exterior (other than for the installation of plastic windows), remains near to its original condition.

“Due to its position on the back edge of the pavement, its wide frontage, and location on the very edge of the town centre it has visual prominence which singles out the building as a landmark within the local scene.

“It is also a rare example of a roadhouse pub in the local context of Hinckley. Such rarity, integrity and landmark quality ensures that the local significance of the building is special and it stands out within the surrounding environment.”

Regulars at the pub expressed their disappointment when the fresh plans were submitted in August.

Customer Howard Parkin, 58, said at the time: “It’s a lovely little place. It’s such a shame that they want to knock it down, it’s part of our community.

“Most of the work we have had done at home is by people from the pub. There is every trade represented in there and they are willing to help each other.

“It’s an ideal pub for us and we have lost so many traditional pubs. When we moved to Hinckley, we would go to The Railway, but that has lost what it was.

“We still need some ‘pub’ pubs – the Prince is one of the final ones.”

The pub raised £3,000 during its St George’s Day celebrations this year for Edgar’s Gift, which provides special days out and other gifts for young people with cancer.

Plans were recently approved for two four-storey blocks of 33 flats and seven houses on the former Hinckley Leisure Centre site, just a short walk from the pub.

A Lidl supermarket has also been built over the summer very near the venue, off Coventry Road, with the store opening in August.