PLANS to rebuild cottages destroyed by a pub fire in Harwich last year have been withdrawn. 

A fire destroyed the Hanover Inn and the surrounding buildings in a catastrophic fire in June last year. 

Plans for the rebuilding of Grade II listed number 67 in Church Street have now been withdrawn. 

The building had the largest amount of surviving historic fabric out of the three surviving buildings, including the 16th-century walls between numbers 66 and 67. 

A great part of the ground floor survived the fire but also became subject to water damage when the fire brigade intervened to extinguish the fire. 

Tendring Council’s planning department advised the applicants to retain the historic fabric wherever possible and repair it on a like-for-like basis. 

The plans have been withdrawn as a result of a number of issues which likely would have seen the proposal rejected by the planning committee. 

Harwich and Manningtree Standard:

A consultee comment said a proposed extension would have led to the loss of the historic fabric. 

It stated: “The proposed extension would involve the loss of the existing ground floor and first floor rear windows and a large section of rear wall at ground floor in order to create an opening between the living room and proposed kitchen.  

“As per the supporting heritage assessment, this is part of the building can be identified with the 17th century lean-to timber-framed extension.” 

Further concerns were voiced regarding the internal alterations, as it “would compromise the legibility of the 17th century part of the building”. 

In conclusion, it was stated: “Overall, the proposed extension and internal alterations fail to preserve the special interest of the listed building." 

The fire at the Hanover Inn was tackled by multiple crews from across Essex and 177 properties were left without power for hours due to safety concerns. 

The community rallied together to support those impacted by the fire while raising funds to try and ensure the pub’s future. 

Landlord Dave Todd is still hopeful to return the pub to its former glory. 

Meanwhile, he has been able to use the vacant Crown Post building while waiting for the Hanover Inn to be restored.