A developer has been ordered to rebuild a public house brick by brick after a local council rejected a bid to obtain retrospective planning permission.
Wandsworth Borough Council found the developer had taken down the former Alchemist pub in St Johns’ Hill without planning permission and had not sought any consent to do this despite being required to do so.
The council responded to the unlawful demolition by launching enforcement action requiring the developer to rebuild the property brick by brick, and the developer’s attempt to obtain retrospective planning permission was later rejected.
Planners ruled the developer’s application should be rejected because the demolition meant the loss of an important local landmark and prominent historic building.
Cllr Sarah McDermott, Planning Chairman, said the developer had been trying to get permission for this unlawful demolition by the back door, an attempt which had been “roundly rejected.”
“The loss of such an interesting and important local landmark was judged to be against the public interest,” said Cllr McDermott.
“In our view the demolition was a very serious breach of planning rules which can only be put right by the complete rebuilding and reconstruction of this important community asset, using the same materials and to the same architectural design.
“This building was an integral part of the St John’s Hill Grove conservation area and its loss has been keenly felt by local people.
“That’s why we are determined to take action to ensure it’s restored for future generations.”
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