Precious China
As we pass the first anniversary of the destruction of the Crooked House in the West Midlands without any apparent progress, I’m pleased to report a happier significant event in London. I have mentioned the case of the China Hall in Rotherhithe several times since it closed in 2019. The owners, Hamna Wakaf, obtained planning permission to convert the upper floors into flats but, in January 2022, it was observed that they had also started work on converting the ground floor into two flats. They did not have planning permission for this and so Southwark Council served an enforcement notice that instructed them to cease these works and to reinstate the ground floor as a public house. Hamna Wakaf appealed to the Planning Inspectorate but, after a three day public inquiry, the inspector upheld the Council’s stance. The ground floor must now be returned specifically to a suitable condition for letting as a pub and it must be marketed properly for at least two years. Andy Large, the chairman of CAMRA’s South East London branch commented, “I am delighted with the result and extremely grateful to the team at Southwark Council for their dedication and diligence in the defence of the China Hall over a prolonged period of time. I hope it serves as an inspiration to other local planning authorities to defend against unauthorised development that results in the loss of valued community facilities.”
Strangely enough, the same company had been through a very similar process in respect of the Old Justice, which is not that far away. That is now operating successfully as a pub so there is hope.
The name China Hall, incidentally, is unique and comes from a theatre that once stood nearby.
Nothing happening
On the subject of the Crooked House, sadly, despite the press attention that the case received, there appears to have been no progress. To mark the anniversary, on 5 August, CAMRA called on the new government to improve planning options for councils. A significant change was made in 2017 when pubs were given sui generis planning status which meant that they could not be subject to change of use or demolished without planning permission. CAMRA branches across the country have however found that, since the beginning of 2023, around 40 pubs have been demolished or converted apparently without the required permission and many local authorities are opting not to use their powers. We have also recently seen Whitbreads attempting to undermine this requirement by using ‘certificates of lawfulness’ to change the use of pubs adjacent to their Premier Inn hotels. CAMRA had been meeting with ministers from the previous government and will continue this lobbying with the new government. In London we almost had our own ‘Crooked House’ in the shape of the Grade II-listed Burn Bullock in Mitcham. It suffered a serious fire in April although, fortunately, its walls are still standing. Again, nothing appears to be being done about it. It is hard not to form the opinion that, in some quarters, there is little sense of urgency about or interest in the fate of our pubs.
Pub Heritage update
The Swan, the imposing Nicholson’s pub standing opposite both Hammersmith Underground stations has been added to CAMRA’s National Inventory at a one star rating. It was built in 1901 and is Grade II-listed. Although the interior has been altered over the years, it still retains many original features including flamboyant arches, a double staircase, stained glass windows and an elaborate moulded ceiling.
The smaller rear room is of particular note, with its large inglenook fireplace and good quality curved panelling.
Pub Design Awards
CAMRA’s annual Pub Design Awards, held in conjunction with Historic England, recognise the highest standards of architecture in the refurbishment and conservation of existing pubs as well as in the construction of new ones in the UK. They are judged by a panel of experts in design and conservation. Entries for the 2025 awards are now invited. It is free to enter and pubs are able to nominate themselves. An entry form needs to be completed and this can be found here. The closing date is Sunday 17 November.