Camberwell pub closed for 15 years to become house

By Robert Firth, Local Democracy Reporter

A pub which has been empty for more than 15 years could finally be turned into a house.

The Paulet Arms in Paulet Road, Camberwell, was snapped up shortly after closing by property developer Lexadon Limited for £920,000 in 2007.

The company turned the upper floors in the building that houses the ex-pub into nine flats a year later.

But the ground floor where the pub was located has remained derelict ever since. As recently as 2018, the street level unit was being advertised to let for retail use.

Lexandon Limited has asked Lambeth council for permission to turn the former Victorian boozer into a three-bedroomed house.

A ground floor extension at the back of the property would be added as part of the £2m conversion.

Changes would also be made to the layout of windows on the building.

A report by db Architects, which is working on the project, said the conversion would “not only provide much-needed residential family accommodation but also visually improve the building”.

Db Architects added that a marketing report – which considered how feasible a pub was for the site –  found there was “no demand for a public house of this limited size and in this area.”

Residents of the planned home would be expected to make use of local buses and nearby Loughborough Junction railway station to reach Central London.

No parking would be provided, but cycle storage would be included in front of the property.

Db Architects added: “The proposal will provide a much needed family apartment in what is a vacant part of the building, it will significantly improve the appearance of the building and add to the regeneration of Paulet Road.”

It would cost £250,000 and a year of work to turn The Paulet Arms back into a pub, according to a marketing report by KALMARs estate agents.

There are 10 other pubs within a half a mile walk of The Paulet Arms, according to KALMARs.

The report added: “The previous use as a pub having ceased is likely to be unpopular if reinstated in this residential road especially with the residents above.

“It is of our opinion that continuing to market it as a pub will just result in it being empty, whereas, given consent for a residential use, it is likely to be popular and be a good neighbour providing a much-needed residential space.”

Lambeth council officials will make a decision on the application at a later date.

Pictured top: The Paulet Arms in Camberwell as it looks today (Picture: KALMARs marketing report)