Landlords of a historic Battersea pub have lost their battle to save it from being turned into luxury flats.
Cate Toomey and Aaron Tumata, who run The Castle in Battersea High Street, had been campaigning for more than 12 months to save their beloved drinking hole.But on Monday Wandsworth Council's planning committee granted developers Languard permission to demolish the pub and construct a four-storey building in its place.
Although Languard have said they intend build a new pub below the proposed flats, many of the 700 residents who objected cited the loss of a community hub as the primary reason for their concern.
Some of the rich and famous had also signed the petition to save the pub including Danny O'Donoghue who said; "This pub is fabulous, a warm welcome whenever you go, good food and great range of drinks. Lots of events are held and bands play regularly which is another great thing to hear up and coming artists and when the sun is shining the outdoor area is perfect for catching some sun. It has everything really a real pub instead of a club or wine bar, I am very sad we have lost."
The application states a new pub would be "desirable", but Langards is not obligated to build one and could change it to a retail space at any point, however committee members pledged to remove Languard's ability to change the proposed usage of the ground floor without its permission.
According to English Heritage, there has been a pub on The Castle's site since the 17th Century.
Before its demise, the pub had an impressive clientele including the likes of Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Irish band The Script who were regulars when they were in the Battersea area. Chris Martin and Gywenth Paltrow with various friends, and entrepreneur PY Gerbeau, who was responsible for the running the Millennium Dome.
Source: Wandsworth Guardian / Edited: DannyODonoghue.Net
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