Second London pub demolished without permission

Wandsworth council have launched an investigation after the Alchemist in St John’s Hill was knocked down last month- and could order the pub to be rebuilt brick by brick. A spokesperson for the council told the Publican's Morning Advertiser that it was looking in to whether there could be any legitimate reason behind the demolition. 

The current owner of the Alchemist did not seek permission to knock down the pub, which was not trading, despite it being situated in a conservation area.

Planning chairman councillor Sarah McDermott said: “We are therefore treating this as a very serious breach of planning rules, which we believe 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 is an integral part of the St John’s Hill Grove conservation area and its loss will be keenly felt by local people. That’s why we are determined to take action to ensure it’s restored for future generations.”

Westminster council became the first local council to order a pub be reconstructed from the ground up after the Carlton Tavern in Kilburn was demolished earlier this year.

Licensee Patsy Lord was told that the pub would be closed for an inventory but found it had been destroyed in early April.