A developer who demolished an historic pub then was ordered to rebuild it “brick by brick” has angered neighbours with fresh housing plans.
Developer Udhyam Amin was found to have “unlawfully” torn down the Victorian era Alchemist pub, in St John’s Hill, near Clapham Junction, in May 2015 after it had been left derelict.
Last July Wandsworth council handed Amin an enforcement notice ordering him “to rebuild the Alchemist, restoring it to its appearance prior to demolition”. But new plans have now been submitted to build six apartments, plus retail and commercial space — to the dismay of neighbours.
One told the Standard: “It’s a year down the line and the owner has done nothing. It seems that the developer has been given multiple chances to come up with something which suits him and not those who live here. It really is a great shame.”
The application includes retrospective approval to demolish the building but rebuild the front façade which is viewed as a “heritage asset.”
The neighbour said: “I think Wandsworth council should reject this application because the site is too large and there’s insufficient thought gone into the design and detail.
“If the developer came up with a sensible design then I would not object.But this has gone on for three years and he has had a lot of time to think what he can do.”
Almost 40 residents have lodged objections with the council and the plans are likely to be discussed at a committee meeting in July.
Local amenity group the Wandsworth Society said: “We believe the application should be refused as the information provided is inadequate and insufficient to satisfactorily describe the proposed work, and critically the appearance of the front elevation.”
Manchester-based NJL Consulting, working on Amin’s behalf, declined to comment and Amin was unavailable.
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