A fightback has been launched against the loss of a community pub by a residents’ plan to create Merton’s first co-operative pub and bring back jobs to the area.
At a protest outside the now-derelict Emma Hamilton pub in Bushey Road on March 31, residents voiced concerns about developer Stadium Capital Holdings’ plans to build 56 flats and four shops on the site.
Instead, they said, residents who are interested should set up a committee that would take on the popular pub as a co-operative in which profits and decision-making would be shared.
Jo Leighton, who lives in Bronson Road, said: “Everyone I’ve spoken to felt the scale of the development was out of place for the area.
“We know the developer is out to maximise profit, with no consideration for the area and community. At the very least we can hope to get our voice heard and prevent an unsuitable use that will be regretted in years to come.”
Grahame Darnell, who lives in Oxford Avenue, said he thought “everything was wrong” with the developers' plans.
“For a start the parking allocation is woefully inadequate and people on local streets will suffer from the inevitable overspill of cars.
“It's too tall and too close to the pavement - this, along with the need to cut down the existing trees, is an environmental concern and will look terrible.
“Also, the retail aspect is will either result in boarded up empty units or a big and unwanted supermarket which will ultimately put local shops out of business.
“It’s pretty clear that no thought has gone into this except 'how much money can we make'.
"Instead of this I'd love to see a child-friendly community pub that all the local families could use.
The plans could be similar to the Hope community pub launched by Carshalton residents last year, which is owned by 46 shareholders and managed by a committee.
The Hope’s chairman, Rodger Molyneux, said: “After a few hiccups we have greatly increased trade because we make decisions that make sense for people, as opposed to some manager based in Burton-on-Trent.”
The pub closed in August after opening in 1962, and is named after the notorious socialite and mistress of Lord Nelson, who lived in nearby Merton Park.
Work could begin on the new scheme in early 2012 and be completed in mid-2013.
A spokesman for Stadium Capital Holdings said: “About 200 people attended the public exhibition and we have received about 100 written comments, which we are analysing.
“Parking is the major concern voiced by residents and we will be considering residents’ comments before submitting a planning application.”
Do you think a co-operative pub is a good idea? What do you think the developer should do with the Emma Hamilton site?
Leave a comment below, call 020 8722 6335 or email: ooakes@london.newsquest.co.uk.
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