Andrew Dismore

Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden Andrew Dismore has backed plans to list the Midland Hotel pub in Hendon as an Asset of Community Value. An application was submitted to demolish the building and replace it with 59 residential dwellings, none of which are affordable.

Reverend Dr Julia Candy, the priest in charge of the local parish of St John’s in West Hendon however is leading an effort to designate the pub an Asset of Community Value. ACVs’ must further the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community.

The designation provides several protections for the building, namely the removal of permitted development rights for change of use and demolition of pubs; it is a material consideration in a planning application; permits Community right to bid; and an ACV-registered building can be compulsorily purchased by the local authority or council “if the asset is under threat of long-term loss to the community”.

Mr Dismore said:

‘The wilful and wholesale destruction of valued community assets is a disgrace. This comes hard on the heels of the loss of The Chequers pub in Church End, Hendon, of which I also opposed the planning application.  In recent years there has been the loss of 20 pubs within a 1.5-mile radius of Hendon Town Hall. It is time for Barnet Council to treat our pubs as the community assets they really are, rather than another development opportunity to make a shed load of money.’

‘The Midland Hotel is a welcoming presence to those who arrive in Hendon from Hendon Station, and has long and deep historic roots in the area. It’s loss would be a travesty, which is why I am pleased to be able to support the excellent local campaign by resident.’

ENDS

Notes:

• Andrew Dismore is the Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden
• A copy of Mr Dismore’s letter of support for ACV status for the Midland Hotel can be found here.