Second Attempt to Turn O'Riordans Into Flats

Applicant claims it is no longer sustainable as a riverside pub

A second planning application has been submitted to knock down O'Riordans pub on Brentford High Street and replace it with a 3-storey block of four flats after the initial planning application (P/2019/2873) was refused planning permission this January.

The first pub listed at the riverside site was The Jolly Tar which was there in 1888 and since then it has had a number of names including The Yacht, and Captain Morgans.

The building has been put on sale for prices of around £1.5 million or an annual rent of £52,000. According to the applicant the majority of enquiries were looking at residential conversion or redevelopment. They say that no enquiries were made to take on the pub as a going concern.

The applicant argues that the pub suffers constant financial losses and isn't sustainable as a business due to a small kitchen on first floor with a steep staircase for access, limited riverside garden space, no parking, no disabled access, proximity to residential dwellings restricting live events, limited scope for refurbishment and too much competition from larger neighbouring pubs such as the Express Tavern and One Over the Ait. There is no mention of potential footfall from Brentford's new football stadium as and when it opens.

This new application attempt to overcome the reasons for refusal for the previous application.

The current building contains the pub on ground floor and basement, and one flat on first and second. This would be replaced by a three storey residential with lower ground floor with four flats (3 x 2 beds, 1 x 1 bed) and a community space (of 50m2), about a third of the pub size. There will be no parking but 7 bicycle spaces will be provided. No allocation for the community space is offered.

Proposed new development frontage

You can comment on this application by visiting the planning website and entering the application ref P/2020/1254.

April 24, 2020