A millionaire property developer who ripped historic green tiles off his pub has appealed against the council’s refusal to allow him to turn the building into a café or shop.

Charlie Southall, owner of the Montreal Arms in Brighton, was ordered to repair or replace the tiles which were hacked away by workers in March 2022.

The act, which came after Mr Southall abandoned a crowdfunder to renovate the pub to house Ukrainian refugees, caused uproar across the city and was described as “utter vandalism” by Caroline Lucas, then Brighton Pavilion MP.

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

Mr Southall lost an appeal against the enforcement notice.

He then submitted two planning applications earlier this year regarding the reinstatement of the tiles.

One, which would see the tiles put back on the bottom of the building, was approved in June.

In the plan Mr Southall said the historic tiles would be scanned by specialists at Craven Dunnill and replaced with hand-glazed replicas in the Victorian style with “crazying” glaze.

The other application, which proposed putting the tiles on the top half of the building’s facade and turning the bottom into a commercial space and first floor flat, was rejected in May.

He has now taken the matter to the Planning Inspectorate once again.

In his appeal, Mr Southall said the council’s concerns over the potential loss of architectural and historic interest are “unfounded” given the “thorough and sensitive approach” outlined in his proposal.

“The building is currently in a critical state of disrepair, with extensive structural issues posing significant safety hazards,” he said.

“Reports from structural engineers and building surveyors confirm the need for substantial repairs and rebuilding to ensure the building's stability and habitability. The proposed works are essential to address these urgent issues and prevent further deterioration.

“Our proposed scheme detailed how damaged ceramic mouldings would be scanned and replicated, to create a new tiled facade using exact match replica tiles from the original building. This approach maintains architectural integrity while enhancing the building's utility for future use.”

He said the building is no longer economically viable as a pub and disputed concerns over the loss of a community asset.

“The local planning authority stated that insufficient details and information were provided to demonstrate the non-viability of the public house use,” he said.

“This assertion is incorrect. The feasibility report, along with other comprehensive documentation submitted, provides substantial evidence that the public house use is neither viable nor supported by market conditions and community sentiment.

“The Montreal Arms has faced significant challenges, including economic and demographic changes in the area. Previous attempts to maintain it as a public house were unsuccessful despite considerable efforts.

“The combination of prolonged closure, licensing difficulties, detailed marketing efforts and community opposition strongly supports the argument that reopening the Montreal Arms as a pub is not viable.”

The 45-year-old concluded by saying: “The extensive evidence provided demonstrates that the public house use is not economically viable and that alternative community uses are both necessary and more beneficial.

“I respectfully request that the decision to refuse planning permission be reconsidered, allowing us to proceed with the essential repairs and restoration of 62 Albion Hill and to bring the building back into use.”

People can comment on the appeal until August 14.