The Heckford Angel's planning history and latest application

The Heckford Angel, in Maldon Road, is a grade-II listed building which has been disused and in disrepair for several years.

It’s also gone through many plans which have all proved unsuccessful.

Previous owner Portia Star Lane had purchased the old pub in 2016.

In 2018, she told the Gazette about hopes to refurbish the pub and to create a hotel and offices.

They were approved for a 100-seat restaurant but in 2022, the owners then said those plans were now unviable.

View - an older image of the pub (Image: Whybrow and Dodds)

A scheme was then proposed which wanted to renovate the property to create a 50-seat restaurant and 12-room bed and breakfast and subsequently approved.

However, interest has wavered in the proposals, and nothing has come to fruition.

In July last year, the vacant building was listed for more than £400,000 on Rightmove.

What’s the latest plans for the property?

Its current owners applied earlier this month for a change of use so it can convert the ground floor of the former pub to an office space for the applicant’s own business and open a café.

A planning statement said: “There appears to be no appetite for operators to take on such a property as a pub / restaurant, even with the additional rooms to let to the rear.

Awaiting latest planning approval - The Heckford Angel (Image: Google Maps)

site - the barn at the back of the building (Image: Google Maps)

“With more and more small village pubs closing every year, this is perhaps not surprising.

“The owners have now exhausted their search for a potential pub operator, with no interest what so ever for a number of months.

“The applicants have determined that the works to renovate and refurbish the listed building need to proceed before the property deteriorates further.

“But at this point there is no prospect of a pub operator, large or small, coming forwards to take on the opportunity.”

The change of use would be used with the existing approved plans to build accommodation to the rear of the pub, and the conversion of the upper floor of the pub for extra rooms.

It is believed this will maintain a “community element to the scheme” by converting the existing barn building to a new café which will serve the area.

It would provide breakfasts and “possibly other snacks and meals” to those utilising the proposed office and lettable rooms.

Colchester Council is still yet to make a decision.