King's Head remains headless

On Tuesday councillors rejected plans to redevelop the King's Head pub on the corner of Roehampton High Street and Roehampton Lane.

The King's Head is Roehampton's oldest building, dating back to the 17th Century. For the last three years it has been empty having been closed down after lots of complaints about rowdiness and poor behaviour. It is one of six pubs and clubs Roehampton has lost in recent years.

I want the King's Head restored to use - but not at any price and I think, on balance, that councillors were right to reject this planning application.

This site adds to the impression that Roehampton village is in decline. The Conservative Council and the Conservative MP could and should be far more concerned about getting this site back into use: promoting the area to investors, working with them to submit strong, impressive plans and ensuring that they help kick-start a revival of this important part of our constituency.

One thing that would be unacceptable would be for councillors to use the pretext of their so-called regeneration plans for the Danebury Avenue area to stall any work on this site, because that could mean the King's Head remaining derelict for another decade.

I hope the applicants go away, reflect on the council's decision and come back with a more sensitive, more thoughtful plan that better addresses the challenges this important site poses.

You can read the report on the planning application for The King's Head here.