The wrecking ball draws ever closer to a popular Willesden pub as planning chiefs have endorsed unpopular plans for its destruction.

The Times has seen documents which show the officers giver the plans the green light despite being handed a petition boasting 4,000 signatures in opposition just last month.

The news has come as a surprise to campaigners as Brent Council awarded the building community asset status last year.

This means the building is subject to additional protection from development under the Localism Act 2011.-

Ian Britton, a member of the Save the Queensbury campaign, said: “We are disappointed with the decision but nothing has been set in stone.

“It is going to take brave decision by members of the planning committee to go against the recommendations.

“We have not yet received the reassurances we want, and they have not told us that there will be a replacement pub so we eagerly await the full report.”

Fairview Homes, which owns the site, originally submitted plans to replace the public house with tower block of flats comprising of 56 residential apartments and 23 car parking spaces.

Under current proposals, the site would also include an additional community space such as a café or restaurant in order to accommodate various community groups including popular baby parent group Busy Rascals.

The campaign to save the pub has attracted support from a host of known names including Sarah Teather, Lib Dem MP for Brent Central, former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone and boyband The Wanted.

A council spokesman said: “The application is to be reported to the Planning Committee on Wednesday 12 March 2014 with a recommendation for approval.

“The Committee Report, which sets out an assessment of the case and details the recommendation, will be published by Democratic Services on the Council’s website by the end of the working day on Friday 28 February 2014.

“The final decision on this application will be made by the Planning Committee.”