Wandsworth pub campaigners win unprecedented protection for their local

Wandsworth Borough Council said it would introduce an Article 4 Direction for the Wheatsheaf in Tooting Bec, south London, earlier this month, following a year-long battle by locals. It means the building’s owner must apply for planning permission before changing its use or demolishing it for redevelopment.

Only a handful of Article 4 Directions have been issued across the UK and no other council has yet introduced one covering both a change of use and demolition.

Separately, Wandsworth Council said it will begin consulting on a pub- protection policy across the borough from September, which would allow it to refuse planning applications to convert pubs into shops.

Chair of Tooting Wheatsheaf Supporters campaign group Dan Watkins, who has been fighting to save the Enterprise Inns pub from a supermarket takeover, said: “It’s really good news for the Wheatsheaf and for all the pubs across the borough which will be able to apply for Article 4 Directions.”

Although Tesco is understood to be no longer interested in the property, Watkins said Enterprise has announced its intentions to convert the upper floors of the pub into flats following the council’s decision.

“It’s not going to immediately threaten the pub because it’s on the two floors above the pub, but there are suggestions of building a new stairwell to provide residential access from the street and that will involve chopping out part of the pub. The first-floor function room is likely to go as well.

A Enterprise spokesman said the company was “committed to the future of the Wheatsheaf as a pub” and was investing to refurbish the bar area.

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