London gay bar The Yard facing new development threat
By Will Stroude
Just six months after Westminster Council rejected plans to replace The Yard with a block of luxury flats, the famed London gay bar is once again under threat of redevelopment.
The Yard became one of the rare victories for anti-development campaigners back in March, after the Council decided that the venue – which is situated in the last Victorian-era stable and carriage house in Soho – was an “important relic” of the area.
However, the venue’s landlord has once again submitted an application to build a set of flats over the historic stable roof, and the bar’s owner Andy Jones is hoping punters and the public will help stop the build by objecting to the application 15/06867/FULL on the grounds that it would create an ‘inappropriate’ mix of residential and bar use.
“I would kindly ask that anyone who objected before could object again to preserve The Yard as well as the Soho area”, Jones said, adding that as well as destoring the venue’s Victorian heritage, development would force smokers onto the streets outside, increasing noise disturbance and congestion.
Local councillor Jonathan Glanz added: “At Soho’s heart are quirky and unique premises of great character run by independent businesses including shops bars and restaurants.
“We need to preserve these premises and businesses or risk Soho becoming another homogenized part of the city.”
The latest development in the ongoing struggle to save the capital’s LGBT venues comes as the Royal Vauxhall Tavern is given Grade II listed status – click here to find out more.
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