A pub built in Battersea in 1854 - the Alchemist - ceased trading in 2013 after 159 years. In 2015, the pub was illegally demolished with the developer claiming the building was structurally unsafe. Having been ordered by Wandsworth Borough Council to rebuild the pub brick-by-brick, the Alchemist was once again standing in 2018, though not trading or re-fitted as a pub.
Once the work was complete, the developer then submitted a change of use request. It wanted to convert the newly restored building into an office, shop and restaurant. This proposal was rejected by the council. However, this led the developer to create further plans to change the use of the building to Class D2, assembly and leisure, which was also rejected.
Both decisions were then appealed, but inspector Benjamin Webb considered them both together. The key concern in the decision was social and community vitality. Public houses are generally considered as social areas where people go to meet therefore adding to community value. Although the building isn't in use, the inspector gave little weight to the hiatus, as it still had community value.
After careful consideration of both proposed change of use appeals, the building and its community value, the inspector concluded that the first proposed change of use (office, shop and restaurant) was not acceptable due to the loss of community use at the site, which would harm community vitality in conflict with local policies.
The second proposal would, however, still allow the community to use the premises and therefore would maintain social and community vitality, making the loss of the building being used as a public house acceptable as a whole.
The appeal to change the use of the pub to Class D2 was therefore allowed. The other appeal was dismissed.
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