‘Don’t bulldoze historic Black Lion pub’: nearly 1,500 people have called on the Government to halt the demolition of a 315-year-old pub

BY OWEN SHEPPARD
BBC Local Democracy Reporter
yann@slpmedia.co.uk

Nearly 1,500 people have called on the Government to halt the demolition of a 315-year-old pub and a row of historic buildings overlooking Kensington Gardens.

Developer Fenton Whelan has been given planning permission to flatten the heritage buildings in Bayswater Road, and build a nine-storey block of 55 luxury flats.

The site, next to Queensway Tube station, includes the Black Lion pub, which dates back to 1704, and a set of Victorian and neo-renaissance buildings that sit within the Queensway conservation area.

Before the £450million scheme was approved by Westminster council’s planning committee in 2016, it faced objections from the Campaign for Real Ale, the Victorian Society, Historic England, and Kensington and Chelsea council.

Westminster council’s own planning officer warned: “The demolition of all existing buildings is considered to have a harmful impact upon the architectural, historic and aesthetic characteristics of the Queensway conservation area.”

Last month, Alastair Lee, 29, found out the buildings he admired, now covered in scaffolding, are facing imminent demolition.

He was so shocked that he started a petition, Don’t Demolish 117-125 Bayswater Road, calling on Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick, to intervene.

Mr Lee, a civil servant for the Australian Government, said: “I came to London four years ago when I was travelling with my mates.

I remembered seeing these buildings, and drinking in the pub. They’re even older than my country.

“They’re in such a prominent position overlooking the park, and we just loved the area so much.

“So when I moved here I came to visit them again. It was only recently that I found out they were going to be demolished, and I just couldn’t believe it.

“I thought it was crazy. I thought, how could they be getting away with this?”

Mr Lee also said the petition has been signed by people in Sweden, Germany and Iceland.

“That really shows that people all over the world love buildings like these, and are shocked that this could happen,” he said.

A spokesman for the Secretary of State, Mr Jenrick, said if he receives an official call-in request, he would “give it consideration.”

Developer Fenton Whelan promotes the Park Modern scheme as “London’s most prestigious residential development”.

It promises to include “a landmark building with views south over Kensington Gardens”, with a restaurant, and a public spa, gym and swimming pool underground.

The company would not comment on when demolition will take place.

But a spokesman said: “Rather than being damaging to the local area, as is falsely claimed, the proposals will actually spearhead the regeneration of Queensway into Bayswater Village, a regeneration scheme which is championed by Westminster council.”

Part of the deal of the planning permission saw Fenton Whelan agree to pay the council £8.5million – money it will have to spend on building affordable housing. It also paid the council £2.5million for improvements to public spaces.

The development was opposed by the London Mayor’s office in early 2016, when Boris Johnson was in City Hall.

Current Mayor Sadiq Khan was elected in June that year and backed the scheme after getting Fenton Whelan to offer an increased amount of £11million for the affordable housing.

The company will also pay another £4.8million in Community Infrastructure Levy, a tax used by the Mayor to pay for Crossrail.

A spokesman for Fenton Whelan said: “The development will make a total public contribution of £18.3 million, which will be used to deliver £11 million of affordable housing as well as a series of important public realm improvements.

“The public realm improvements will include improved access into Hyde Park at South Queensway, the creation of a new junction at Bayswater Road, a new public plaza, enhanced street frontages, public artwork, widened pavements, improved lighting and
new landscaping.”

Mr Lee’s petition also mentions that when Westminster council’s planning committee approved the scheme in 2016, it was then chaired by Councillor Robert Davis.

Mr Davis resigned last year following an investigation into his conduct, after it was found he had received 514 gifts and hospitality in his role.

However, none of the 514 gifts and hospitality were linked to Fenton Whelan, and there is no evidence to suggest misconduct played any part in the Bayswater Road scheme being approved.

A Westminster councilspokesman said it could not comment on old planning matters, but pointed out the millions the company will be made to pay.