Wandsworth Council to consult on Article 4 Direction for Wheatsheaf pub

25-Nov-2013 - Last updated on 26-Nov-2013 at 08:50 GMT

It is the first time Wandsworth has consulted on an Article 4 Direction

Wandsworth Council has agreed to a full public consultation on a proposed Article 4 Direction for the Wheatsheaf in Tooting Bec, south London — the first time the borough has consulted on the measure — to prevent a change of use or demolition for redevelopment.

It is the latest step in the campaign from locals and Sadiq Khan MP to save the Asset of Community Value-listed pub, which is at risk of being replaced by a supermarket.

The council voted to consult on the measure — which requires the building’s owner to apply for planning permission should they want to change its use or demolish it — at a committee meeting last week. It said it would make a final decision in June 2014.

Rare

Only a handful of Article 4 Directions have been issued to protect pubs and no council has yet issued a direction that covers both a change of use and demolition.

The council said it would also consider how Article 4 Directions could be applied to other popular pubs in the area and agreed to look into adopting a pubs protection policy, which would provide extra planning protection for all outlets of value under threat in the borough.

'Delighted'

Chair of Tooting Wheatsheaf Supporters campaign group, Dan Watkins, said: “We are delighted. I personally contacted each of the councillors present at the meeting [last week] to make our case and I thank them for taking this decision.

“I’m also delighted the council will consult on adopting a pub protection policy more generally in Wandsworth.”

Enterprise Inns, owner of the Wheatsheaf, previously said there are no longer plans to sell the pub.