The Save the Wheatsheaf campaign tonight held its second public meeting on the evening of 31st March to update local residents on the progress of the campaign and the latest developments with the pub.
Speakers included the leaders of the campaign group, the operator of the Wheatsheaf and Councillor Russell King. To an audience of 50 people in the pub’s function room, they provided an update on the pub’s status and reminded locals of the 3rd April deadline for the current public consultation on Article 4 Directions for the pub. If granted, these would remove the permitted development rights the owner has for change of use and demolition.
Addressing the group, Dan Watkins, Chair of the campaign group, said:
‘Thanks to the fantastic community support we’ve had since July, we have been successful in making the Wheatsheaf an Asset of Community Value, in achieving Local Listing status for the fabric of the pub, and in getting Wandsworth Council to consult on Article 4 directions to provide further pub protection. Most recently, we have heard from the Wandsworth Guardian that Enterprise Inns, the pub’s owner, have officially confirmed that they intend to retain the building as a pub. This is a great result and reduces the immediate risk to the pub, but we need to continue the campaign to ensure that the Wheatsheaf’s long-term future is also secured.’
Anthony Thomas, founder of the Antic company which operates the Wheatsheaf, commented:
‘We continue to try to purchase the pub freehold from Enterprise, and hope to be successful so we can build on the success of the pub and develop further community space within the building.’
Russell King, Councillor responsible for the Article 4 Directions for the pub, noted:
‘So far we have had almost 200 individual responses to the consultation. They have all been of a very high quality, showing just how much local residents value the Wheatsheaf as a community hub. The news from Enterprise is a very welcome development and shows how a cross-party campaign can unite local people and help bring about a successful outcome. ’
Wandsworth Council will hold a public meeting in June at the Town Hall to decide whether to grant the Article 4 Directions.