Planning inspector rules Hackney’s Chesham Arms must remain a pub

Planning inspector John Murray today rejected an appeal by Mukund Patel, the owner of the Chesham Arms in Mehetabel Road, against Hackney Council’s enforcement notice. The notice had been issued after Patel converted part of the upper floor into a flat.

It means the Chesham Arms remains in the A4 (pub) planning class but because Patel is using the ground floor as an office he is allowed to continue with that use until March 2016.

The inspector concluded that the loss of the pub, which is registered as an asset of community value, would damage the character of the conservation area.

Save the Chesham secretary James Watson told the PMA: “While this isn’t quite the total victory we were hoping for, it’s great news that the appeal has been dismissed and the inspector has recognised how important it is that this building remains as a pub.

“However, this once again shows the damage done by Eric Pickles’ senseless decision to allow historic pubs to be turned into empty offices. Permitted development rights are killing pubs.”