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Supporters toast victory in pub battle

Inspector lifts demolition threat


Crown and Goose

PROTESTERS have scored a third victory in their long-running battle to save a pub and snooker hall from bulldozers.
Planning inspector Chris Turner has thrown out plans to demolish the popular Crown and Goose bar in Delancey Street, Camden Town.
On Friday, he upheld a decision by Camden Council which prevents property developers DE and J Levy from knocking down the pub and neighbouring New Camden Snooker Club.
Mr Turner said plans for a giant new venue on the corner site were not in keeping with the surrounding area.
In his final report, the inspector said: “I consider it would be premature and potentially damaging to allow the demolition of the existing buildings until a satisfactory replacement has been approved. I conclude that there is not an acceptable redevelopment scheme in place and that conservation area consent for demolition should not be granted without one.”
Developers have twice seen plans for the site rejected by the Town Hall – and must now come back with completely new designs or take the rare step of making a further appeal to the High Court.
Mr Turner said: “The design of the proposed building would not be appropriate in this setting. The snooker hall in its present condition is rather dismal but has features of interest that would be lost and the proposed replacement would be rather bland and monolithic in comparison.”
The two-year campaign to stop the demolition has been backed by comics Julian Clary and Phil Jupitus, and Madness band member Chas Smash. Holborn and St Pancras Labour MP Frank Dobson also raised concerns about the proposed demolition.
It was widely-feared a new building would become a high-capacity drinking venue – dubbed a “booze barn” by objectors.
Although the inspector did not rule out a future redevelopment at the site, his verdict and new guidelines mean any new building is likely to be a smaller restaurant rather than a large bar.
Campaigner Tess Read said: “It is fabulous news. Maybe the developers will forget about it now – who knows? The fact that it has to be a restaurant is an important victory for us.”
Camden Town ward councillor Jake Sumner added: “People like this part of Camden Town the way it is.”
Nobody from the developers spoke at the planning meeting at the Town Hall in February when councillors rejected the designs. A spokesman said the firm thought the design “fits into the profile of the street”.
 



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