On March 11, a planning applications committee will decide the fate of the Canterbury Arms pub, Brixton, which Lambeth Council has recommended for demolition.
The committee will meet at 7pm at Lambeth Town Hall.
May Developments has submitted a planning application to demolish the pub, and in its place build a nine-storey mixed development of 31 residential dwellings and a public house/restaurant.
Brian Fitzgerald, landlord of the Canterbury Arms, has been running the pub for 20 years, and is thought to be the longest serving landlord in Brixton.
When the pub closes, Mr Fitzgerald and his wife will be forced to move out of Brixton, as they cannot afford to live in the area in their retirement.
An online petition to Conway Taverns to stop the sale of the pub has been signed by over 1200 people.
RELATED: BRIXTON PUB SPECIAL: Canterbury Arms – the end of an era?
Petition launched to save Brixton pub Canterbury Arms from demolition
From Lambeth’s own Heritage Charter: “Our aims are to; Use the quality of historic buildings to inspire and act as a means to celebrate, conserve and care for the town centre’s past, present and future.”
http://futurebrixton.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/charter_for_the_brixtonheritageregenerationpartnership_24-10-12.pdf
Unbelievable that anyone would consider demolishing characterful buildings like this one these days. This pub has seen other modern buildings come and go. The proposed new flats probably won’t last long either– if recent history is anything to go by. One day we will regret this kind of thing, but it will be too late by then. Why not incorporate the new flat’s design in to the existing pub? Please sign the petition.
How can the council recommend demolition when that whole area is supposed to be subject to the “Future Brixton” public consultation?
My heart sinks at cultural vandalism of demolishing one of Brixton’s last remaining Victorian pubs, with attached music hall, for more overpriced flats.
Does anyone know if attempts have been made to get the building listed, or listed as an asset of community value? Have Conway already sold the pub to the development company?