PLANNING permission for a pub in a Grade-II Listed building has been recommended for approval – but changes would need to be made to proposed signage to satisfy conservation guidelines.

The proposals by J D Wetherspoon for the Corn Exchange in Bury St Edmunds – which have been met by “considerable objection” – will go before St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s development control committee on April 28. While officers have recommended planning permission to be granted – subject to conditions – they say advertisement and listed building consent should be refused unless the proposed signage on the front (south) elevation is amended to meet the requirements of the conservation officer.

J D Wetherspoon wants to use the first floor and part of the ground floor of the historic building, formerly a public hall, for a pub and restaurant.

Issues with the proposed signage included that the applied lettering on the front elevation would result in an “excessive projection from the face of the building”.

The report said adopted advice sought to ensure the attractiveness of the town centre conservation area and individual buildings was not “undermined by unsympathetic and over large signs.”