The council could be set to turn down attempts to have two Tooting public houses listed to prevent them from being converted into supermarkets.

Officers for Wandsworth Council have drawn up a report suggesting an Article 4 direction, which would give the council extra power to resist an application to convert either the Wheatsheaf or Trafalgar Arms pubs would not be appropriate.

Campaigners fought through the summer to protect the Wheatsheaf pub from becoming a supermarket and secured promises from a number of major chains, but hoped an Article 4 would protect it further.

A similar campaign was launched to try to protect the Trafalgar Arms on Tooting High Street by having it listed.

The report produced for the strategic planning and transportation overview and scrutiny committee on Tuesday has said because of national and local planning policies on buildings falling within the Local Centre and Core Shopping Frontage, such as the Wheatsheaf an Article 4 may not gain support from the Secretary of State at any appeal.

Instead the report says a move to prevent demolition would be more appropriate. The report also says the Trafalgar Arms does not meet criteria to become listed.

MP for Tooting Sadiq Khan, who joined the Save the Wheatsheaf campaign, has called on councillors to stand firm and protect the pub.

He said: “One thing throughout this huge campaign has remained clear – we’re fighting to stop our pub from becoming another Tesco Express or Sainsbury’s, or luxury flats. Demolition has never been a threat.

“Our local councillors must not ignore our call for an Article 4 direction against change of use – protection against demolition is not what we have all been fighting for and would not protect our pub for the future.

"If the committee members really want to show they are listening to their community, they need to protect the pub and grant an Article 4 direction against change of use, not just demolition.”

 

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