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News
Pub knocked down without warning
A UK pub has been torn down without warning, despite the council rejecting an application to flatten the building and redevelop it into a pub and flats.
The Carlton Tavern before demolition
Demolition teams moved in on the Carlton Tavern in Kilburn today and began ripping into the building leaving passersby stunned, as reported by the Kilburn Times.
Patsy Lord, the pub’s landlady, was only alerted to the demolition whenit became necessary for her to remove her son’s car. The building was reportedly still full of the business owner’s possessions, including a widescreen television, darts trophies and pictures, as its outer shell was pulled down.
All Ms Lord was told was that the pub would be closed following the Easter break for “inventory”, which she believed would also involve digging up the back garden.
The landlady said it was “heartbreaking” to discover that her pub, reportedly due to be listed by English Heritage, had been torn down.
According to The Kilburn Times, Carlton Tavern was sold last year to CLTX, who had submitted a planning application to Westminster Council for the building to be demolished and replaced with a pub at ground level and 10 residential units over four floors. The plans were rejected, however the demolition went ahead regardless, surprising council officials.
A council spokeswoman confirmed that the demolition had taken place without permission, and that it had sent enforcement officers to the scene this afternoon.
A statement from Westminster Council said: “The building’s demolition required the City Council’s prior approval and as no such approval was sought or obtained, the City Council will be seeking legal advice concerning whether any future action is legally possible. Pubs play an important role in our local community.”
Conservative Councillor Thomas Crockett added: “Officers of the Council attended promptly, but not before the terminal destruction of the structure, which was not listed and not in a conservation area. It was however reputedly due to be listed by English Heritage imminently.”
Crazy that Carlton Tavern in Kilburn was demolished without permission. Doubt Westminster council will do anything. http://t.co/xPEfnJk0iT
— RichM (@RichMorland) April 9, 2015