Developers forced to rebuild a Kilburn pub they demolished ‘brick by brick’ have had their application to include flats turned down.

CLTX put in an application for two studio flats and a two bedroom apartment on the first and second floors of the Carlton Tavern, in Carlton Vale, which has been rejected by Westminster Council.

Officers said they were abiding by a public inquiry ruling in May 2016 which said the pub must be “rebuilt in facsimile” inside and out.

Cllr Daniel Astaire, Westminster’s cabinet member for planning and public realm, said: “The council has carefully considered the content of this planning application and decided to decline to determine the application under Section 70C of the

Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

“Westminster City Council has stood side by side with residents to demand that this pub should be rebuilt brick

by brick and we are determined to see that commitment through.”

CLTX, based in Tel Aviv and owned by Ori Calif, called in bulldozers after their application for planning permission in January 2015 to replace the pub with a bar and block of flats, was rejected by the council.

CLTX put in an appeal against their rejected planning application two weeks after reducing the Victorian pub to rubble and insisting it be heard in secret, by written representation.

The council then slapped CLTX with an enforcement order to rebuild the pub ‘brick by brick’.

It was heard by a public inquiry in May 2016 who ruled it must be rebuilt “in facsimile”.

Campaigners and councillors welcomed the news.

Rob Cope, of The friends of Carlton Tavern, said: “We are pleased that Westminster planners rejected this attempt at the very first hurdle. The outcome of the planning inquiry was very clear: rebuild the Carlton brick by brick and complete this by July 2018.

“We hope CLTX will now concentrate on this task and avoid further distractions.

Cllr Rita Begum, Labour representative for Maida Vale, added: “I’m happy it has been turned down. This is what CLTX wanted in the past before they demolished it. They think after all they put everyone through they can put in a fresh application? I’m very pleased they didn’t get what they want.”

Cllr Tom Crockett, Maida Vale’s Conservative representative, added; “I’m delighted. Now let’s hope serious progress is made to rebuild it over the winter as it will be nice to go there and have a summer drink.”