Queens Arms Pub Is Saved From Developers
Article 4 protection has resulted in planning permission for the pub to reopen
The Queens Arms, a Victorian-era pub in St Philip Street which closed two years ago and has been empty ever since, is to reopen. A previous application to turn it into a shop was withdrawn because the council has placed an ‘Article 4 direction’ on it to protect it.
Wandsworth council uses Article 4 Directions to protect the borough's most important pubs from redevelopment as shops or homes. It means changes have to go through the planning process, rather than being automatically allowed under ‘permitted development’ rules.
The Queens Arms was built in 1865 to serve the residents of the then new Park Town Estate near Battersea Park. The application approved last week by the council's planning committee will see the basement and ground floor remain as a public house. An extra storey will be added to create a three bedroom flat. The first and second floors and a new side extension will be turned into four flats.
The local community was consulted on the scheme and the majority of responses were in favour – one neighbour wrote that “with some love and care it can be brought back to its former glory”.
An artist's impression of the extended pub
Committee chairman Cllr Will Sweet said, “While we were aware of concerns about the loss of ancillary living space above the pub, we agreed with CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) that getting the pub back into use was a priority. We feel that the extensions agreed have preserved the character of this much-loved pub and we look forward to it being at the heart of the community again.
“Through our pioneering use of Article 4 Directions we have made it clear that we are determined to protect pubs and prevent them from being turned into shops, homes and mini-supermarkets.”
120 Wandsworth pubs have been protected by Article 4 Directions. They include The Alma, The Ship and The Cat’s Back in Wandsworth, The Bricklayers Arms and The Arab Boy in Putney, The Plough, The Falcon and The Beehive in Battersea, The Selkirk, Trafalgar Arms and The Wheatsheaf in Tooting and The Bedford, The Regent and The Prince of Wales in Balham.
Some pubs that are currently closed have also been given protection, including The White Lion in Putney High Street and The Brewery Tap in Wandsworth High Street. It’s hoped this will give an added incentive to the owners to bring them back into use.
Recently the council forced a developer to rebuild The Alchemist in St John's Hill after it was unlawfully demolished.
August 28, 2018