For more than 20 years Donal Dempsey and his family have run Thornton Heath's Welcome Inn.

One of only two remaining pubs in Thornton Heath, a planning application for change of use has been submitted by its owners.

The application includes the upper floors of the pub being converted into four one-bedroom flats and the conversion of an out-building to provide a one-bedroom maisonette cottage.

But despite its longstanding relationship with the community, Mr Dempsey said these proposed changes have placed the pub "under threat."

"I fear the pub will close like all the others in the area if plans are approved to make way for flats," he said.

"The plans by the landlord include making the pub much smaller into a lock-up pub, leaving it too small for live music, karaoke and parties.

"The plans include taking away the existing large beer garden, smoking area, removing all accommodation for staff and management and rooms we rent out locally."

He isn't the only one concerned.

In a letter penned by Thornton Heath councillors Callton Young, Karen Jewitt and Pat Clouder, they criticise the design of the plans and say more needs to be done to keep pubs, not get rid of them.

"Put it this way, writing a plausible risk assessment for a darts match there would be a serious challenge," the letter read.

"The Flora Sandes closed in May of this year and other local pubs, like The Thomas Farley, The Reform Tavern and The Lord Napier, have long been boarded up or redeveloped."

A decision is set to be made on the future of the pub at a planning committee meeting on July 5.

The trio of councillors are hoping to see a decision in what they believe is not just for their benefit but the community at large.

"Not just because of the reduced size proposed for both the pub area and beer garden but also due to the reduced income that will result from loss of accommodation that the family rents to pub staff," the letter read.

"As Thornton Heath ward’s councillors, we are pressing for the Welcome Inn to be afforded the protection promised under both the Mayor’s London Plan and Croydon Council’s Local Plan."