A property developer who ripped historic tiles from a pub could face further action after claims more damage has been done to the building.

Workers hacked the tiles from the Montreal Arms in Albion Hill, Brighton, in March last year as developer Charlie Southall handed out leaflets to residents claiming the tiles were beyond repair.

The “utter vandalism”, as it was described by Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas, came after Mr Southall abandoned a crowdfunder to renovate the pub to house Ukrainian refugees after neighbours questioned his motives.

Brighton and Hove City Council issued an enforcement notice following the incident, requiring the historic tiles be replaced by this week.

However, an appeal lodged in May last year by Mr Southall has put the deadline on hold as the Planning Inspectorate makes a decision on the matter.

The Argus: The pub is well known for its historic green tilesThe pub is well known for its historic green tiles (Image: The Argus/Andrew Gardner)

Now, the council has received reports of further damage to the building.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said officers visited the pub on Tuesday after concerns were raised.

The council is now considering whether to take further action against the millionaire property developer.

“We visited the Montreal Arms site on Tuesday after concerns were raised with us relating to the structure of the building,” the council’s spokesman said.

“The concerns were reported after scaffolding at the site was taken down as the end of its licensed period approached.

“We will consider the findings of our site visit before making any decisions on whether further steps are required.”

The Argus: There are claims the pub has been damaged by scaffoldingThere are claims the pub has been damaged by scaffolding (Image: The Argus/Andrew Gardner)

Previously, Mr Southall said he had bought the pub “on a whim” before launching a campaign to raise £85,000 to renovate the site to allow Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion to live there for three years.

The plans would have required a change of use from pub to residential, which the council will only grant after the venue has been advertised as a pub for at least two years at a fair market rent.

The pub’s historic green tiles are a feature on several establishments in Brighton, including the Rose Hill Tavern and the Heart and Hand, which were run by United Breweries.