Council defeats appeal over listing of pub as asset of community value

The London Borough of Hackney has become the first council in the country to successfully defend an appeal over a decision to list a pub as an asset of community value.

The Chesham Arms became the council’s first such asset in March 2011. However, the pub was closed in October 2012 by its owners, who said it was no longer profitable.

Mukund Patel then requested an appeal of Hackney’s decision to list the pub.

A hearing – thought to be the first of its kind since the introduction of the assets of community value regime through the Localism Act 2011 – was then held at Hackney Town Hall.

Judge Nicholas Warren dismissed the appeal after the two-and-a-half hour-long hearing. Written reasons are expected to be given in the next few weeks.

Jules Pipe, Mayor of Hackney, said: “Our concern all along has been to protect The Chesham Arms from developers and to retain it as a valuable community hub.

“Pubs like the Chesham Arms bring together local residents and help to build close neighbourhoods, and they deserve to be protected. The current owner should either re-open this historic building as a pub or sell it to someone who will.”

In September Manchester United withdrew its request for a review of Trafford Council’s decision to list Old Trafford as an asset of community value.

The club had initially expressed concern that the legislation had not been applied correctly and warned that a precedent could be set.

However, it then concluded that the decision to name the ground as an asset of community value would not have “any meaningful impact on the club”.