Unauthorised plans to change a historic village pub have grinded to a halt following firm action by the borough council.

Dacorum Borough Council has stopped the owner of the Eagle Pub in Hempstead Road from continuing works after he failed to apply for the necessary listing and planning consent.

In recent months the pub and the surrounding area has seen a number of alterations which have been picked up by council enforcement officers including a sign saying "café opening soon" and the removal of trees.

Speaking to the Watford Observer, owner Tony Russ, who bought the pub in February, said he intends to open a café/bed and breakfast and will submit the required paperwork to the council. In the meantime he has reiterated that he has stopped work.

Mr Russ said: “The sign is temporary and with regards to the pub garden I have cleared more than 20 years of rubbish and dead trees to improve the green belt.”

With regards to a heap of rubble that has appeared on the field opposite the Eagle, Mr Russ claims that flytippers are to blame.

A Hempstead Road resident, who did not want to be named, said she had "mixed feelings" about the owner’s plans.

She said: “I’ve lived here for nine years and seen the Eagle develop into various businesses including a car wash. I don’t really care what the owner does with it as long as it is not noisy.

“In the past the garden was like a children’s playground and it was a nightmare. The noise was unbearable. If it is to be a café I just ask that it be quiet.”

Another local resident said she would have to see how the situation developed saying: “Who knows who a café will attract? It’s going to have competition from the village. We will have to wait and see.”

Helen Lawrence, spokesman for Dacorum Borough Council, said: “The Eagle pub is a listed building to which unauthorised work has taken place – so no work other than rectification work set out in a letter by our principal of conservation and design can continue.

“Since our planning enforcement and conservation teams have been involved, the owner has stopped work. The owner now needs to apply for the necessary listing and planning consents, this includes permission for the café sign on the front car park area.”

What do you think? Leave your comments below.