Willesden pub threatened with demolition is given Asset of Community Value status

A pub in Willesden threatened with demolition has been given an Asset of Community Value status – but still faces the wrath of a wrecking ball.

The Queensbury in Walm Lane, could still be turned into rubble despite being added to the list by Brent Council last week.

The status means the building is subject to additional protection from development under the Localism Act 2011.

Residents launched the Save the Queensbury after learning of plans by developers to knock down the building and replace it with an ‘unspecified development’.

The fight to save the pub, which also hosts well attended mother and baby social groups, has been supported by former Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, Sarah Teather, Brent Central MP and boy band The Wanted amongst other.

Ian Elliott, one of the campaigners said: “It is a victory that the pub’s status in the community has finally been recognised by Brent council on the third time of asking.”

“What we ask now is for the status of the pub is used as a material planning matter for Brent Council to make a decision on the plans of Fair View homes to demolish the Queensbury.”

Fairview Homes, which owns the building, withdrew an application to replace the pub with a 10-storey tower block in June.

But in an email leaked to the Times they indicated retaining the building is not in their revised plans.

They refused to comment.