Earlier today, over 200 local campaigners gathered outside the former Porcupine pub in Mottingham to express their anger at LiDL’s plan to demolish the building and replace it with a non-descript supermarket outlet.
Campaigners were joined by their local Member of Parliament, local Conservative Councillors, the Minister for Pubs, and the Chief Executive of CAMRA.
Reflecting on the morning’s rally, Bob Neill MP said:
“Today, we have sent a very strong message to LiDL’s Board Directors.
“There is a huge level of support for this campaign to save the Porcupine and people feel incensed that their right to bid for the pub has been bypassed deliberately by Enterprise Inns and LiDL, who transferred ownership before residents had an opportunity to list it as an asset of community value.
“You don’t have to be a professional planner to see that this site is entirely unsuitable for a supermarket. LiDL needs to get its act together and realise that its customer base in Mottingham valued their local far more than the 10 minutes it took to travel to the nearest branch of this cut-price supermarket chain.
“LiDL is doing itself no favours by refusing to meet elected representatives and refusing to listen to the genuine concerns of this community.”
Mike Benner, CAMRA Chief Executive, said:
“Unfortunately The Porcupine is one of many pubs under threat from Supermarkets and Fast food companies who are actively and openly targeting pubs for development, often despite the pub itself being popular and profitable. High property prices, combined with the fact planning law allows a pub to be converted to a supermarket or betting shop without a change of use planning application is needlessly putting the future of many pubs in jeopardy. Supermarket chains and fast food companies know that often their development plans are highly unpopular and so are targeting pubs so they can avoid public scrutiny of their plans."
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Notes to the Editor
· Bob Neill MP has secured a Parliamentary debate on 21st May regarding the Porcupine pub. He will use this debate to place on public record his serious misgivings about the manner in which Enterprise Inns and LiDL have handled this entire case.
· A formal request for the pub to be listed as an Asset of Community Value has been submitted to Bromley Council and is being considered.
· An Article 4 Direction has been requested by local residents to restrict permitted development rights under Part 31, which would prevent the demolition of the building under those rights. Bromley Council is currently considering this request.
· Bromley Council have not to date received a planning application for the redevelopment of the site.