We might have seen our tweet over the weekend re the Black Cap being saved. Has it? Yes, the council told the owners they couldn't develop it as it was a valuable community resource - hard to think that when some inexplicably angry old bruiser's staring at you whilst Sandra's doing that hula hoop thing on stage but there you go.
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Well, the Black Cap pub in Camden Town has been saved from redevelopment. The Camden New Journal writes "Owners Faucet Inn had applied for planning permission to convert the upper floors of the popular High Street pub into three flats, which would have led to the closure of the first-floor bar and terrace.
But after a campaign led by regulars, and backed by TV soap actor Michelle Collins (click here for full story), the Town Hall's planning department announced today (Friday) they were rejecting the application."
Camden Council explain the logic behind their decision “Although officers considered that use of the second and third floors of the pub, which currently provides ancillary accommodation, to residential would be acceptable, there were strong concerns about the loss of the first floor which forms an active part of this popular pub. “The ground floor of the building is used for cabaret and the first-floor space provides a quieter meeting environment for the community. It was considered that the loss of the pub and restaurant use at first floor would be detrimental to the gay and lesbian community for whom this is a key meeting place.”
The owners have yet to comment on the decision and it's feared they might now look to sell the venue as a going concern to the highest bidder.
