Campaign seeks bar work as pub site saved article - Wimbledon Guardian 19/1/2012

Press Release - 13/1/12

PRESS RELEASE

13/1/12

Campaigners for the Morden Tavern woke with sore heads this morning after a surprise but entirely commendable vote by Merton's planning committee last night to refuse consent for a development scheme which would have led to the effective loss of the last of the St Helier Estate's three historic 'mega' pubs. The scheme for 23 properties would also have fatally compromised the Tavern's garden setting, contrary to national planning policies PPS3 and PPS5. The committee relied on several of their own LDF policies on urban design and will also be referencing new policies in the London Plan 2011 in their decision notice. Interestingly, they are not intending to rely on their Pubs Protection Policy, L16.

Campaign member Dale Ingram. planning consultant and pubs preservation officer for local SW London Branch, in her no-holds-barred speech to the Committee, invoked the Localism Bill, the draft NPPF and the revised London Plan and renewed her warning that consenting the scheme might result in the Secretary of State calling the application in. Recent planning wins in Hackney on the Wenlock Arms and at the Grove in Wimbledon were also referenced. She said "If ever there were a textbook response by a community in Localism terms to a threat to something they cherish, it has been the Campaign for Morden Tavern". The Localism element of the objection was supported by Conservative members of the planning committee.

The 1932 Tavern by renowned pub architect Sir Harry Redfern (famous for the 'Carlisle Experiment') was Locally Listed in 2010 after research by ConservationWorks revealed its historic and architectural significance. It has won a reprieve which will give the Campaign group time to develop their business plan to turn the pub into a community co-op, inspired by the example of the Hope in Carshalton and CAMRA's 'Pub is the Hub' initiative. The building, with its typical array of large rooms on the ground floor and multiple living and bedrooms upstairs offers a myriad of opportunities for community-focused activity, such as a creche, doctor's surgery, cycle 'park and walk' facility or small pub hotel and so on. 

The Morden Tavern mets all the criteria for inclusion on a Local Asset Register. The Registers are being created as part of the Localism Bill, and are intended specifically to protect local community facilities such as pubs, libararies, scout halls and the like. A building's Local Asset designation will become a material planning consideration. CAMRA branches should be encouraged to ask their local planning authority what steps are being taken to create Local Asset Registers in their area, and to nominate all the pubs in their areas for recognition by registration.

Long faces all round on the developer's team as they left the Council chamber last night, after their architect and his scheme were roundly criticised by members of the planning committee.

Top marks to David Smith, the Campaign's doughty leader whose vision, committment and unremitting sheer hard work has kept the wheels on the Campaign over the past two years. Credit also to the other members of the Tavern Campaign committee Nick, Henry, Harry and Alfred who have made the struggle worthwhile and whose committment to their local community has been exemplary.

Finally, grateful thanks to members and the committee of the SW London branch of CAMRA and the London Pubs Group for their support and encouragement."

Cheers!

Dale L Ingram

Pubs Preservation Officer, SW London CAMRA

Director, ConservationWorks

Pub planning 'hypocrisy' in a tale of two taverns article - Wimbledon Guardian 19/1/12