A MAJOR retailer has been rapped by a local council after removing a piece of local heritage without planning permission.

Middlesbrough Council's planning enforcement officers stepped in to halt ongoing works at the supermarket giant's Roman Road Express store in the Linthorpe conservation area, formerly the Pybus Brothers store.

A balustrade on the east wing of the building, on Oxford Road, had been taken down, while unauthorised work had also been carried out on two bay windows and a chimney.

The council was alerted to the changes by concerned members of the public, as well as local councillor Steve Bloundele.

A ‘P’ from the Pybus Bros sign – a remnant of the days when the shop was one of a number owned in the town by the Middlesbrough grocer brothers – is also missing.

A delegation from Middlesbrough Council including planning officers has since met with officials from Tesco and their contractors.

Cllr Lewis Young, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Economic Development and Infrastructure, said: “The Council has made its position to Tesco very clear that heritage elements of the building should remain intact and be repaired to preserve the character of the area.

“It is our understanding that they are currently looking at their options to put this right and we hope to see the frontage and balustrade back to how it should be very soon.”

Planning permission is required to change the front of any commercial property anywhere in Middlesbrough, with conservation areas given extra protection through the planning process.

Conservation areas are described as areas having “special architectural or historic interest, the character or appearance of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance”.

They are designated by local councils and their status means consent is needed for alterations which would not be normally required. It also gives councils the powers to refuse work which would be detrimental to local heritage.

The Pybus Brothers were Middlesbrough grocers, known for roasting their own coffee and blending tea, who began trading from about 1900. Their name is still set in stone above Tesco.