PUBLICANS who spent £100,000 on a refurbishment to improve disabled access have been ordered to change the car park back again.

The owners of The White Hart pub in Great Yeldham redesigned the car park and garden as part of a general refurbishment and with access for all in mind.

Managing director Mathew Mason said: “We are devastated, this was never about financial gain.

“We have had lots of positive comments from the public since the work was done.

“I’m bemused that gravel is preferred.

“There was no mention of car parks when we researched the initial planning application.

“It was all innocently done and its hard to deal with.

“We haven’t got the money to change it back.” Planning officers from Braintree Council ave demanded they revert the hard service car park back to gravel at the Grade II listed building.

The pub had permission to put a gazebo up on their grounds but did not get the go ahead for the new car park, having not considered gravel would be preferred to a hard service or make any difference to the historic building.

An enforcement notice was handed to the pub last week and the owners now have 28 days to agree to the changes.

Braintree Council has defended the enforcement notice and insisted the authority will offer advice to the White Hart’s management to resolve the dispute.

A spokesman said: “Following an enquiry from a member of the public, it has been established that surfacing of the car park area at the White Hart has taken place without the appropriate consent and compromises the setting and character of the Grade II listed building.

“We have advised the owner of the White Hart and given a specific timescale to consider whether to seek further advice from us on how the surface treatment might be modified in a way that respects the historic interest of the building.”

Discussions will take place between the council and the owners regarding the work.