North London

Campaign for Real Ale

Campaign for Real Ale

Campaigners can hold their heads up high on a battle well fought.

Thursday 30 January 2020

The 'Save The Queensbury' campaign was formed over 7 years ago after residents of Willesden Green were outraged to hear of the plans to demolish their local pub and replace it with a 10 storey block of flats. The Queensbury pub is a landmark Victorian building, at the gateway to the Mapesbury Conservation Area. The campaign group, led by Ian Elliott is independant of the pub. They have fought off 6 applications and 1 appeal to demolish their pub. However, in November 2019, Redbourne (the developer) won its appeal to demolish The Queensbury pub and erect 48 flats, but will include a new public house in the development.

The Save The Queensbury group did however, win two major committments after the recent appeal. 1) The developer will have to return to Brent Council if they want to change from a pub to another use. This enables the public and local residents to scrutinise any plan to change use. 2) The developer has to work with Busy Rascals (the baby and toddler community group) to find them an alternative space if and when building work begins.

When this process was started back 2012 a 10 storey tower and no pub was proposed, so in 2019 locals have ended up with a smaller block and commitment of a pub. This is a huge achievement from this community group, who has worked with many different local groups in both Brent and Camden and brought local councillors together to campaign to save the pub.

Ian Ellitot from 'Save The Queensbury' attended the four day public enquiry in August, as a 'Rule 6' party and was cross examined by the developer's legal team who belittled the campaign, but they still stood strong. Despite losing the battle to save the pub, campaigners can hold their heads up high on a battle well fought.

Please check their campaign website: http://savethequeensbury.info