Save The Swan! One Last Chance!

The planning application (2009/1104) for a ‘change of use’ (read vandalise and destroy) of The Swan is now public and we need people to object ASAP and before Wednesday July 1st

http /www.hackney.gov.uk/servapps/
 MVM/Online/Generic/StdDetails.aspx
 ?PT=Planning%20Applications%20On-Line&TYPE=PL/PlanningTechAppraisal
 PK.xml&PARAM0=133022&XSLT=/servapp
 s/MVM/SiteFiles/Skins/hackney/xslt
 /PL/PLTechAppraisalDetails.xslt&FT
 =Planning%20Application%20Details&
 PUBLIC=Y&XMLSIDE=/servapps/MVM/Sit
 eFiles/Skins/hackney/Menus/PL.xml&
 DAURI=PLANNING

(to view, simply cut and paste this link, to then object, click on ‘document’ at bottom then ‘comment on application’ on next page .. should only take seconds! )

The key planning issue for a ‘change of use’ is whether a pub is viable. The Swan clearly did NOT close, or was not closed, because it went bust, or was not profitable, but simply because it was more profitable for Punch Taverns (who operate on a borrow to buy to let scheme that puts Northern Rock to shame) to capitalise by selling. The Save The Swan Campaign put in a proposal to the new owner which would have paid them a rent of c.£50,000 per annum, which shows clearly viability was not the issue the pub shut.

The second key planning issue is loss of a local community asset. Local Authorities are now supposed to take this into account. The Swan is a valued historic community pub dating back to 1745, with much associated history, It is the only pub in the area particularly since the equally regretted closures of the British Oak (Oldhill St), The Woodman (Big Hill), The Hope and Anchor (Rossington St), The Kings Head (Mt Pleasant Hill), The Robin Hood (Big Hill), The Duke of York ( Charnwood St) in the last few years, and other high profile losses such as The Kings Head and The White Hart at Lea Bridge Roundabout and The Lord Cecil.

The Swan was a very important amenity for the local community, used by a large number of people, providing a meeting place for local groups e.g. Hackney Rugby Club, who used The Swan as their base. The pub was often used for wedding receptions, birthdays and has even been used for funeral gatherings. It was also used by almost all sections of the community including secular and religious Jews.

There is also the insidious issue that community relations are being damaged by one small sect in the local community thinking it is acceptable for them to take the asset of the wider community, in this case a pub used by all sectors of the community, behind their back. Hundreds of people used to use this pub regularly and there is great anger and resentment at the thought it will never reopen. The ‘theft’ of the Swan has already damaged community relations, and it’s final destruction as a pub, after over 260 years existance will do even more so.
Please object in writing or online asap!
Together we will Save the Swan! http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gi...
www.savetheswan.com

Apparently according to the council, planning permission has been sought to change The Swan pub into a synagouge and library(not public). Please show your support by objecting to this move and help to return The Swan back to its 250 year status, serving the whole community as a public house.

Thankyou

SavetheSwan committee

Ok we believe the Bobov still plan to turn the Swan into a synagogue but maybe, we hear now, flats. To do either of these things they need 'Change of Use' planning permission, but we suspect they will ignore this and just change the building anyway. We will of course totally oppose any 'Change of Use' from a Public House and are ready to defeat this at the planning stage.

We need everyone to

1) ring the council, 02083565000 and ask to speak to the planning section and ask whether an application has been received and

2) to protest, if any application is made to change use of the building from a pub, to planning officers and MP and Cllrs.

3) check the Hackney planning applications regularly to see if they have applied
http://www.hackney.gov.uk/servapps/m...

4) check what is happening at the pub. For now, the Swan can ONLY be used legally as a Public House. We suspect they will ignore this and need people to keep an eye out on what is happening there.