A developer insists it should be applauded and not penalised for removing the roof of a derelict pub in Alton town centre.

Nwodo Ventures Limited was granted permission by EHDC in February 2023 to convert the Kings Head and its outbuildings into six flats.

But they’ve been threatened with legal action and forced to make a second “unnecessary” application after its roof was removed before certain conditions were approved.

The applicants feel the move by EHDC is unjust, given the roof and staircase of the “dangerous” building had already collapsed because of a decade of ingress and leaks.

The main beam of the Market Street property did not have adequate support while the collapsed roof was starting to pull the building’s walls apart.

They have insisted it was necessary to safely remove the collapsed roof and staircase while they waited for conditions to be approved, as they were advised to take the roof off immediately during structural checks.

A structural survey showed its roof beams and rafters were “damaged beyond repair” with the applicants showing no regret for putting safety and the public first.

The applicants said: “The reason for removing the roofs was to prevent the entire buildings from collapsing and we sought advice.

“We have saved and protected the building by installing scaffolding all around the main building and safely removing all the collapsed roofs.

“We did what was practically right to protect the building and the general public, therefore we should be applauded for what we did.”