By Jenni DixonA PUB is facing council action to take down its security cameras and remove its advertising boards. Graham Dungey installed four CCTV cameras on the exterior of the grade II-listed King's Head pub in Southwold in September at a cost of £8,000.

By Jenni Dixon

A PUB is facing council action to take down its security cameras and remove its advertising boards.

Graham Dungey installed four CCTV cameras on the exterior of the grade II-listed King's Head pub in Southwold in September at a cost of £8,000.

But Waveney District Council said Mr Dungey needed planning permission for the cameras because they were on a listed building in a conservation area.

He was also told he should apply for approval for the numerous hanging baskets and free-standing signs outside the High Street pub.

Now planning officers have recommended an enforcement notice should be issued against the cameras, which they said were an “unjustified disfigurement of a listed building”.

They added the A-board signs be taken down because they were detrimental to pedestrian and road safety.

Mr Dungey, who took over the pub 12 months ago, said: “There have been A-boards outside the pub for the last 20 years. Where they are now is on the pub forecourt, on pub property and not on the highway.

“The CCTV cameras have been welcomed by the local community and by the town council and other publicans. Unless they go round all the buildings in Southwold that have signs or hanging baskets, I feel it's victimisation.”

Mr Dungey installed the cameras in an effort to prove that late-night disorderly behaviour did not come from his pub or his customers.

The town council recommended Mr Dungey's retrospective plans should be approved and Southwold mayor, Geraldine Bryant, said she was surprised at the district council's stance.

“I personally think the cameras were put up for the right reasons and if they can help prove who the unsocial elements are, then good for him,” she added.

Annette Mace, chairman of the town's chamber of trade and commerce, was also shocked.

“Personally, I'm puzzled. The chamber have been considering getting CCTV cameras for a number of years as it's something that can be beneficial to all,” she said.

“The ramifications of needing approval for hanging baskets and A-boards is huge as many buildings in the town have them.”

David Holland, a spokesman for the council, said it was not picking on Mr Dungey.

“The planning process is the same for any person in the same situation. We are not into vendettas,” he added.

jenni.dixon@eadt.co.uk