The Rose Hill Tavern was granted ACV status by the city council in May, just as a private property developer was in the process of buying the site from Enterprise Inns.
An action group set up to raise the £350,000 plus VAT necessary to buy the property outright from the developer now hopes the council will throw out the appeal.
At a meeting held last week, the council said a decision on the appeal could take anything up to eight weeks.
Appeal grounds
Rose Hill Tavern Action Group member Richard James believed that the grounds for appeal was based on the validity of the AVC signatories' list. However, he was hopeful that the council would not renege on its original decision.
He said: “The council have to check that each of the signatories on list are registered to vote in the Brighton area. And while its possible that some of the 38 signatories might not be registered, we feel we still have the 21 required to make the ACV valid.”
“I would have thought the council would have gone through this process the first time around, but now it's a matter for their legal team.”
James stressed that the group would still push ahead with fundraising, but appreciated that if the council upholds the appeal a great deal of work will be wasted.
He added: “Another thing to consider is all the press attention we've had. If the council decides to overturn its original decision, it won't reflect too well on them.”
Meeting
Action Group member Peter Mydlarz explained that the group had met with the new property owner, and both parties wanted the situation resolved as soon as possible.
“He’s actually a nice guy, and he was unaware about the ACV when buying the place. But while he wants to convert the property to flats, we want it to remain as a pub.
“Of course, he has every right to appeal, and council is obliged to hear him out. But we will be very surprised if the decision is overturned.”
Should the appeal be successful, Mydlarz said the group would “start the process all over again” by applying for another ACV.
“Fundraising is still at an early stage, as we are awaiting the results of a feasibility study from the Plunkett Foundation. We want to have a microbrewery at the site, but that needs to be costed up first.”