Veto for idea of a new pub next to the Cutty Sark

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

Plans for a new pub next to the famous Cutty Sark ship in Greenwich have been refused due to fears it would harm the look of the historic area.

The proposal would have seen a new pub being added alongside the River Thames and Cutty Sark ship in Greenwich town centre.

The pub, called the Ship Tavern, would have occupied an empty building on Greenwich Pier which was previously occupied by Byron and Frankie and Benny’s. The site is beside the Old Royal Naval College and the historic clipper ship in Cutty Sark Gardens, both of which are Grade I listed buildings.

The applicant, Greenwich Pier Lease Limited, lodged an appeal for its proposal after Greenwich council reportedly took too long to make a decision, leaving the responsibility to the Planning Inspectorate.

The decision report assessed the significance of several structural elements of the proposed bar, including a raised outdoor seating area and a glazed pergola being added to the current building.

The inspector cited concerns that the steel structure to support the glazing would be visually intrusive and jarring, thus causing ‘considerable harm’ to the current structure and setting of the listed buildings nearby.

It said: “The proposed pergola structure above the roof terrace would add bulk to the building.”

Greenwich council said it would have refused permission for the new pub for fear of it being out of character with the nearby area and the effect it would have on the movement of cyclists and pedestrians using the pier.

The Planning Inspectorate dismissed the authority’s concern on the pub impeding individuals using the pier, however, claiming the outdoor seating area would not interfere with the safe and free movement of cyclists and pedestrians.

Pictured top: The unit on Greenwich Pier where the pub was proposed to open (Picture: Google Street View)