Well-known pub to be demolished to make way for housing

The Suffolk Punch pub in Heelands has been closed for more than a year.

Owned by the Parks Trust, it is now the subject of a pre-planning application from city-based developers High Street Homes.

This week the Parks Trust defended its decision to turn a community asset into commercial housing.

“It is not something we do lightly, but the Suffolk Punch just did not work as a pub,” said the trust’s head of property Ben Allott.

He added: “We tried everything, including giving a heavily subsidised rent for a brewery to run it. But it was simply not viable.

“Sadly now the pub is all boarded up and is now a bit of an eyesore.”

The pre-application is for 12 flats, 12 houses and a 45-place day nursery.

Agreements have been reached with nearby St Augustine’s Church to provide ample parking, said Mr Allott.

Heelands residents have pleaded with the Parks Trust to save the Suffolk Punch from being bulldozed.

An application to demolish the pub was made last October, but it was withdrawn at the last minute by the Parks Trust.