Wimbledon News
Plan to demolish 'troubled pub' thrown out
8:47am Thursday 23rd February 2012
Campaigners have rejoiced after plans to turn a “troubled” pub into housing were rejected.
Merton Council’s planning committee rejected Chatsworth Land Limited permission to demolish the Cricketers, in London Road, Mticham, and build a new four-storey block containing 16 flats.
The plan had faced strong criticism from residents and the Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), which said a pub should remain on the site after being a “social and cultural centre for the local community for over 50 years”.
Tony Burton, from Mitcham Cricket Green Community and Heritage, added the plan was “mundane” in design and would be a major new source of light pollution in the area.
He said: “We are delighted by the rejection of this intrusive scheme which would have overwhelmed one of the most important historic sites in the borough.
“We warmly welcome recognition by Merton's councillors that Cricket Green demands the highest quality development.
“This decision should bring to an end any plans to impose unsuitable development on the local community in the very heart of Cricket Green conservation area.”
But in its application to planning officers, the architects which designed the scheme for Chatsworth Land warned that no alternative pub operators were interested in taking on the site after it was marketed for two years.
A spokesman for AKT Planning and Architecture said: “This is due to the poor performance and environment which the public house offers and also the high level of public house competition in the locality.
“The public house has also been the subject of police presence and has had a reputation as a troubled pub.”
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