- Last year, Southwark Council issued a planning enforcement notice for unauthorised change of use to turn the China Hall pub in Rotherhithe into two flats
- The notice was appealed by the owners, which went to a public inquiry over three days
- The planning inspector dismissed the appeal, meaning the China Hall must once again be a public house
A public inquiry to determine the fate of The China Hall pub found in favour of Southwark Council meaning the owners must return it to being a public house.
In January 2022, works had begun to convert the ground-floor of the pub into two flats before planning permission was obtained. Enforcement officers from the council visited the site and discovered that the bar had been removed, the beer lines cut, fixtures, fittings and carpets stripped out, leaving the ground floor little more than an empty shell.
The council issued a planning enforcement notice, which was appealed by the owners.
In May, the appeal went to a public inquiry over three days with over 18 hours of cross examination. Representations were made by the council’s planning enforcement team, their specialist lawyers, and local residents. Ward councillors Cllr Whittam and Cllr Cryan also made representations in support of the council’s case.
Last week, the planning inspector dismissed the appeal, ruling that the pub was unlawfully converted into flats and must once again be a public house.
Cllr Helen Dennis, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Sustainable Development, said: “This is a huge win for our planning enforcement team and local residents who worked together to save The China Hall as a functioning pub. Pubs are specifically protected by planning policy and for good reason. I’m thrilled that such an important piece of Rotherhithe’s history and community has been protected. It serves as a warning that it is never acceptable for works for go ahead before a planning application has been approved.”
Michael Robertson and Steve Cornish of the China Hall Local Community Group said: “We’d like to thank council officers and their legal representatives in their outstanding energies, due diligence, and tenacious amplification of the China Hall’s cultural significance to Rotherhithe and Bermondsey. A legacy of which can now hopefully be enjoyed as public realm for generations to come via the pubs welcomed return.”
Andy Large, Chair of South East London CAMRA, said: "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. Thank you very much."