Carlton Tavern developers admit knocking down historic pub was 'highly regrettable'

Rubble: The Carlton Tavern after it was illegally demolished in April 2015
Westminster City Council
Laura Proto24 May 2016

The developers who tore down the historic Carlton Tavern have admitted their actions were “highly regrettable” - but they insist they should not have to rebuild it.

The Maida Vale pub was illegally demolished by CLTX in April last year while it was being considered by Historic England for Grade II listed status.

Westminster City Council had previously refused planning permission for the site and following the demolition, imposed an enforcement notice against the developer ordering them to rebuild the pub.

Planning battle: Campaigners at the start of the public inquiry

The developers today said at a public inquiry that the demolition was “unauthorised”, “clearly should not have occurred in the way it did” and “was highly regrettable”.

But they have insisted they should not be made to restore the building to its former glory.

Rupert Warren QC, representing CLTX, said: “It would not be 'brick by brick' or 'facsimile' reproduction of the pub.

“Its heritage value and townscape value, whilst more than negligible, have been very substantially overstated by the council in its evidence and submissions.

“The enforcement notice requires 'in facsimile' reconstruction. That is not really feasible.”

Former glory: The Carlton Tavern before it was demolished

Mr Warren added the best that could be done would be a reconstruction in line with photographs and plans of the site.

He continued: “A reproduction might be very similar but it has no real heritage value; the pub if it were rebuilt, would be a ghost, or clone, of the original.”

But Saira Kabir Sheikh QC branded CLTX’s actions as “morally repugnant” and urged the public inquiry to uphold the enforcement notice.

She said: “The Carlton Tavern as rebuilt would have significant heritage value and provide numerous other benefits to the Conservation Area and local community. These must not be lost.

“These benefits will remain far into the future so the value of the Carlton Tavern as rebuilt will be looked back on and therefore the benefits will increase as time goes on.”

She added there was no justification for retrospective planning permission to be granted for the demolition of the pub.

Ms Sheikh concluded: “The appellant should be required to build the Carlton Tavern.”

A decision on the public inquiry is expected in seven weeks.

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