Victorian pub built in 1846 to become block of flats

By Joe Coughlan, Local Democracy Reporter

Plans have been revealed to convert a Victorian pub into a block of flats.

Greenwich council has received plans to build a set of seven flats on the site of the Royal Standard in East Greenwich.

The pub is a three-storey detached Victorian building and is currently vacant. Council documents show that the building is locally listed and was built in 1846.

Planning documents from Oaten Architects, on behalf of Sunvine Limited, said a one to two-storey extension is proposed to be added to the back of the building.

The pub’s beer garden is also planned to be changed into a private amenity space for one of the ground floor flats, as well as a bike and bins store.

The pub is reported as being within the East Greenwich Conservation Area, but is not identified as a “positive contributor”.

The marketing report for the plans said trade in the pub was likely to be poor while it was open.

The report said: “It is this firm’s view that there is no viability of letting these premises as a public house. It is worth noting that there is fierce local opposition to this reopening for the existing use. The neighbours have reported frequent anti-social behaviour and there have been numerous attempts of squatters entering the premises.”

Flats without amenity spaces in the building are designed to have a bigger floor space. Feedback from the conservation officer for Greenwich council has also been incorporated to reduce the size of the planned extensions, in order to match the existing building and surrounding area.

Planning documents said: “The proposed additional storey and extension will provide much needed additional accommodation and have been designed to be contextual to the neighbouring dwellings, in an appropriate scale and use materials which will match and compliment those of the existing properties.

“It is therefore our view that the development will be of overall benefit to the locality and we hope it will receive the support of the planners.”

Picture: The Royal Standard pub, as shown from Christchurch Way (Picture: Google Earth)