A local campaign has begun to save the Porcupine pub in Mottingham, which was recently’ closed down by the site’s new owners. The current building dates back to the early 1920s, but there has been a Porcupine Inn on the site since at least 1650.
On Saturday 13th April, Bob Neill MP and Cllr Charles Rideout met with local campaigners to discuss the concerns they have about the nature of the site’s sale and the proposed demolition of this historic pub to make way for a new supermarket.
Commenting on the site visit, Bob said:
“I am very concerned about loss of this long-established pub. There are very few community facilities in Mottingham, so this represents particularly serious blow to local residents, made worse by the prospect of it being replaced by a non-descript supermarket. The pub was an important part of the history of the area, it was right in the centre of the village community and it would be a tragedy to see it destroyed.
“I am right behind this campaign and share residents’ concerns about the nature of how this site was sold overnight, and the pub closed down without forewarning. I shall be contacting both Enterprise Inns and Lidl to ask for an explanation. It sounds as if they were deliberately trying to circumvent the Government’s new rules which were introduced to protect important community assets. On the face of it, the site is wholly unsuited for a supermarket, and I am joining residents in calling on the site’s new owners to think again. ”
Cllr Charles Rideout said:
"Local residents feel that the passing of the Porcupine Public House has happened without enough warning. The strength of local feeling is high and is reflected in the large number of people who signed the petition against closure and who signed up on line. They feel they have lost a valuable community asset and in return are likely to get a supermarket that they do not want. Cllr. Charsley and I will be supporting them all the way."
Concerned local resident, David Cartwright, said:
"Local residents are concerned at the apparent underhand way this potential redevelopment of a historic site has been handled by the previous owner of the site and Lidl, the purchaser. Local people have not had any say in the future of this important community asset, which could disappear without trace after some 500 years on this site. We are delighted that our MP, Bob Neill, is taking an active personal interest. Our main fear is that Lidl will demolish the building as soon as they can and then hold Bromley Council to ransom over planning permission for what will then be a derelict site. We want to see Bromley Council withhold permission to demolish until a planning application by Lidl (which has not yet been submitted) is considered. It is only then that Mottingham residents can formally state their objections."