Crusaders claim ‘every trick in the book’ is being used against The Queensbury Pub

Campaigners fighting plans to demolish a popular pub in Willesden and replace it with a 10-storey tower block have demanded the developers “play fair” in their efforts to push through the plans.

Members of the Save the Queensbury (StQ) campaign have accused Fairview New Homes (FNH) of “trying every trick in the book” to push through the unpopular development.

In October last year, FNH put an application in to Brent Council which would see The Queensbury Pub, in Walm Lane, torn down to make room for more than 50 new homes.

The ensuing campaign to save the pub has attracted much support, with former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, who lives in Cricklewood, claiming it would be “a great shame” to lose the venue.

It has been claimed that Lexington Communications (LC), representating the developers, have fuelled rumours that the pub is not viable and the owners are desperate to leave.

The rumours have been quashed in a letter to this newspaper by the pub owners. Pub regulars, who have set up the independent campaign, are now calling on LC to stop scuppering their efforts.

Ian Elliott of the StQ group said: “The planning application to demolish the Queensbury was lodged months ago and it’s very clear just how unacceptable the proposals are. The developers are trying every trick in the book to convince locals but there is absolute resistance to having a tower block built over a popular pub, one that sits in a conservation area.”

Campaigners are now seeking a meeting with the developers to ask them to stop undermining community support and present alternative plans for the site which respects the community’s desire to preserve the pub.

It is not yet known when an application will be considered by the council’s planning committee but the plans are still open for comment on the council’s website.

The Conservative Club and The Queensbury Deli, also in Walm Lane, are both in danger from the application. LC and Fairview New Homes were both unavailable for comment.