THE owner of a Sherston pub embroiled in an argument with the council has stood by the work he has completed on the external walls.

The Carpenter's Arms has notoriously changed hands a number of times in the last decade but Peter Brock has taken on the challenge to get it back in shape.

However, Mr Brock was slapped with a 28-day notice last week after he coated the pub with a recognised Wetherby system.

Mr Brock said: "They came last Thursday or Friday and I was slapped with a 28-day notice for the work I had done to the external wall. All I had done was put on a special recognised system which insulates the property and reduces the carbon footprint by half.

“I was sent an email by the council and my architect went to speak to them who said we had to comply – no ifs or buts.”

The work was done without planning permission and The Carpenter’s Arms is located inside a conservation area.

He added: “I will hold my hands up and say that I did not know the pub was in the conservation area. I now know the area finishes just after the pub.

“I know why conservation areas are in place – I have worked in the building industry for years and fully respect that.”

Mr Brock has since double checked with the manufacturer that the render is suitable for the pub and it was confirmed that the system is suitable for masonry substrates and that it would not have “any detrimental effect due to breathability”.

A spokesman from Wiltshire Council said: “The cladding of a building in a conservation area requires planning permission particularly where it alters the appearance of the building.

"No permission has been applied for in this case, however the owner can still apply retrospectively and any such application will be considered on its planning merits.”

Although the pub landlord is applying for retrospective planning permission, he believes it and any later appeals will be turned down.

The people of Sherston have vented their anger on Facebook about the council’s decision and Mark Andrews, 53, started a petition to keep The Carpenter’s Arms as it is which now has more than 400 signatures.

Mr Brock said: “I just want to thank everyone for their support. It is nice the locals like the look and are willing to support me. They are the ones who have to look at it every day not the council.”