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Camden New Journal - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS
Published: 24 May 2007

New protests against huge pub at historic
canal site

CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a five-storey super-pub in the heart of Camden Town have come up against new protests from neighbours.
The Lock Keepers Cottage in Kentish Town Road is one of Camden’s most historical canal buildings, and once featured in the 1960s film Alfie. Conservationists were angered after planning permission was granted to knock it down last year. An art collective who squatted in the building last year also protested at its demolition.
Now residents have been left fuming following an application by the brewery Sam Smith to set up a bar on the first two floors, which will open until 11pm, and a kitchen on the third.
A customer roof terrace and staff quarters will be housed on the upper floors.
A protest letter, signed by 23 residents of Camden Gardens, said: “I strongly object to a public house not 20 feet from my bedroom window.
“I already look out on to violent scenes most weekends as there are already four drinking establishments in the 100-metre stretch.”
Objectors are worried that the pub would draw even more people to their estate to urinate and inject drugs.
Town Hall licensing officers wrongly labelled the brewer’s application as an off-licence, and neighbours only discovered proposals to turn the cottage into a pub “at the 12th hour”.
The brewery said: “The conditions imposed on the planning permission ensure that there is no possibility of noise from inside the premises disturbing local residents. Equally, the restrictions on the hours of trading ensure that the operation of the premises will not cause any increase in noise and disturbance.”
The brewers will hear on Tuesday whether their application is successful.

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