Battle to rebuild illegally knocked down pub continues

In 2016, Westminster City Council won its battle to have the Carlton Tavern in Kilburn, north-west London, rebuilt after developer CTLX reduced it to rubble in April 2015​ without planning permission.

The five-day enquiry took place in May 2016, after the developers tried to fight an enforcement order the council originally placed on it to rebuild the pub – with evidence heard from local campaign groups, residents, councillors and Historic England.

Enforcement notice

The planning inspector dismissed the appeals lodged by the developers and ruled in favour of the council,​ giving CLTX two years to rebuild the pub.

At the time, the council said the pub was being considered for Grade II-listing and the inspector agreed it was “highly likely it would have been listed had it not been demolished”.

The council served an enforcement notice to the developers, requiring the rebuilding of the community pub “brick by brick”.

Further action

The Morning Advertiser ​understands there is hope for the rebuilding to be completed by April this year, however, the council is considering taking further action because this will not be within the two years as stated in its enforcement notice.

Westminster City Council cabinet member for place shaping and planning Richard Beddoe said: “We are encouraged [that] construction is ongoing at the Carlton Tavern site.

“It has been a long battle to ensure the pub is rebuilt brick by brick. However, it is also clear our enforcement notice, insisting work was completed within two years, has not been complied with and, as such, we are considering whether any further action should be taken.

“It would not be appropriate for the council to comment any further at present.”