A pub is appealing against an order to tear down an outbuilding constructed without planning permission.

An enforcement notice was issued by Wealden District Council to The Griffin Inn in Fletching High Street, near Uckfield, after the building was erected without permission.

The council said the building is “considered to be a visually dominant and incongruous addition to the property” and was detrimental to the character and appearance of its historic setting.

The pub, which dates back more than 600 years, was ordered to “demolish, dismantle and remove” the outbuilding, but the pub said the steps required to comply are “excessive” and that lesser steps would overcome the objections.

The appeal also claims that, at the time the notice was issued, it was too late to take enforcement action and that planning permission should be granted.

A spokeswoman for Young and Co Brewery, which owns The Griffin Inn, said: “The previous owner of The Griffin Inn constructed the outbuilding prior to our purchasing the pub.

“We are dealing with the council directly to resolve.”

Comments can be made to the Planning Inspectorate online at acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk using the reference C/2023/0467 by April 4.