The future of a pub’s community space is uncertain as a developer’s application to turn the building into flats is due to go before planners.

Campaigners for the Corrib Rest in Salusbury Road, Queen’s Park, are appealing to planning officers to safeguard the pub and its community rooms which have been closed for the last two years.

Developers Ashcross LTD is proposing to convert the building into nine flats with a small pub and limited community room.

The first floor currently consists of two large function rooms which campaigners say should remain for use by the community and not “handed over to the developer”.

Ashcross bought the pub in 2015 and it has remained empty ever since, despite community plans to use the space as part of a “meanwhile project” while the rooms were vacant.

Brent council granted the pub an ACV in 2015 after pressure from the Queens Park Area Residents Association (QPARA), which awards it some protection.

More than 1,400 people have now signed a petition in support of the pub and community space.

Lloyd Fothergill, of Save the Corrib, said: “We want the Corrib to stay as it was before. This scheme means the loss of 530m2 of community space, space that was originally brought with public money and protected by both an ACV order and by a Section 106 covenant.

“The 106 is a council legal restriction that prevents the owner building flats on the first floor. We urge Brent not to break this 106 covenant but to honour and cherish it for the people of the locality.”

Virginia Brand, chairwoman of QPARA, said: “QPARA’s concern has been that a good-sized community room should continue to be available to local organisations in recognition of the earlier public investment in the building.”

Cllr Neil Nerva, who represents Queen’s Park, said the section 106 covenant should be protected.

He added: “The past few years have seen the closure of a number of local community assets causing significant damage to the fabric of our area and loss of places for groups and to meet and for family events.

“We cannot afford another community loss to private developers.”

Brent Council’s planning committee is considering this application this evening.