A HISTORIC building threatened with demolition could now be saved after the introduction of planning law was approved at an emergency meeting.

The Crown pub, included on Middlesbrough Council’s ‘Local List’ of important buildings, is at risk of being flattened and shops, businesses, or apartments built on its pivotal town centre site on the corner of Linthorpe Road at the junction with Borough Road.

But as the landmark is not Listed or in a Conservation Area the local authority was powerless to protect it from being razed to the ground unless it stepped in and introduced an Article 4 Direction under development legislation.

In January Middlesbrough developer Cobro bought The Crown from Stonegate Pub Company with the intention of developing it for retail, commercial or residential use.

A report produced for the urgent meeting held today (May 7) on polling day, said: “Up until April 28, 2015, the council was not aware of imminent plans for demolition however, following a meeting on this date the council was made aware of a consultation leaflet which clearly states that option 1 is to demolish the existing building and therefore the building is considered at threat.”

Councillor Charlie Rooney, Executive Member for Regeneration, approved a request from Paul Clarke, Head of Planning, to make a non-immediate Article 4 Direction which can then be increased to an immediate direction within six months following a planning consultation.

The council though could be forced to pay compensation to the developer or be liable for repairs if the owner lets the empty building decay.

Research suggests The Crown was designed by architect J Forbes in 1919 and built for Elite Cinemas in 1923. It was a picture house until 1987 before being turned into a bingo hall and latterly a pub.

It also played host to live music during the town’s annual music festivals and was home to Middlesbrough’s oldest running rock night every Saturday.

Mr Rooney said: “The fact we are having this urgent meeting highlights its importance, the reason for the decision is to halt imminent demolition.”

Mr Clarke added: “Without this direction we would have no control over the demolition, the building is not Listed and it’s not in the

Conservation Area. If the owners want to demolish it they have to give us 28 days notice in which time the council can introduce an Immediate Direction which would provide immediate control.

“It’s considered locally a very important building so we want to work with the owners.”

Aris Mushtaq, one of the partners in Cobro, has said: “It is a well known and loved building and we hope to bring the property back to life.”