The Woodbine Pub in Blackstock Road

HUNDREDS of regulars and residents have opposed plans to develop flats above a pub that they say will pose an existential threat to one of Islington’s “best community assets”.

In April, planning permission was sought to develop the floors above the Woodbine Pub, in Blackstock Road, into residential flats. The proposal was made by property company Bank Estates Limited, who own the building but are completely separate to the pub’s management. The company, based in Salford, bought the property in 2006.

Now, community members have rallied together to produce objections to the proposals, which will reduce 30 per cent of the pub’s ground-floor space and, they say, make it “completely unviable” to continue its business.

A public consultation closes today (Friday), and will go to a council planning meeting in the coming weeks.

Catherine Barry, who has been a regular at the pub for “several years”, said: “Whilst I’m absolutely not against the development of new housing in London, I believe these plans will impact the footprint of the business’s space.

“There’s a big community rally around this now. This pub has been there for 115 years, there’s been a lot of people who’ve been through its doors.

“At the moment, I’m focusing on trying to get as many people as possible to object to the proposals, and hoping that once the consultation ends we have enough people explaining why they want to protect this vital community asset.”

Olwen Shannon, whose children attend nearby schools and nurseries, said that the pub was a “unique hub” for local families, and was “devastated” when she heard news of the proposals, adding: “I just can’t believe this commercial greed from the building owners – the pub is small enough and these plans would make its continued usage completely unviable.”

The planning application submitted by Bank Estate Services says that the proposed design will “retain an active public house use”. The Tribune approached Bank Estate Services for comment but received no response.