Anthony Thomas of London-based Jove Ltd sought permission earlier this year to reconfigure the Grapes Tavern at the corner of East Street and Capuchin Lane in the city centre. Mr Thomas said earlier his plans were “very much about bringing the building back to use in a sustainable way”. Given this, Mr Thomas was “invited to withdraw the application” – but “decided not to do so”, Mr Bailey’s report says. And creating residential accommodation within the building “would diminish the future viability” of the pub, putting it “at persistent long-term risk”, he concluded. Full planning permission was refused.