A public inquiry over the future of a demolished pub in Kilburn heard it is possible to reconstruct the building while retaining its value for the community.
Teams for the developers CLTX were cross-examined over its appeal not to replace or rebuild the Carlton Tavern in Carlton Vale at the hearing in Westminster City Hall today.
CLTX reduced the pre-war pub to rubble without permission last April.
The Israeli-owned company is appealing a rejected application to replace the pub with housing and a subsequent enforcement notice from Westminster Council to rebuild it brick by brick.
Dr Nicholas Doggett, a heritage consultant, was approached by CLTX after the pub had been destroyed.
He said the reasons for listing the tavern were mostly historical and were not “as authoritative or as compelling as those people who remain unhappy about the demolition might believe”.
He said: “The erection of a facsimile building would not serve to restore any of the heritage interest that has been lost by the demolition of the public house.
However under cross examination by Saira Kabir Sheikh QC, acting for Westminster Council, he was forced to admit the pubs heritage lay in its design and architecture.
He said it could be reconstructing using “good materials” but not “original fabric”.
Ms Kabir Sheikh told him to “get with reality”, adding: “In terms of value that building can’t be magicked back, we can’t magic it back with a wand, this is about what we can get back.”
The hearing also heard from Stephanie Brooks, who designed the pub and 10 flats for CLTX.
Her design was ‘unanimously refused’ by Westminster councillors in January 2015 on the grounds it was “ugly and inappropriate”.
Rob Cope, from campaign group Friends of Carlton Tavern, said: “If the pub comes back people will value it even more because of the height they’ve had to get it rebuilt.”
Paul Privite, a supporter from Maida Vale, added: “It would be natural justice to get it back.”
The inquiry will end on Tuesday.
A decision is expected to be made in the summer.
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