Yahoo News New bar in Fenchurch Street railway station arches given the green light as new drinking spot
The City of London is set to green light a new bar along the arches of Fenchurch Street Station. The Arch Company is hoping to turn 9a and 9b Crutched Friars and the now abandoned 26A Savage Gardens into a drinking spot “with expanded food provision”, council documents have shown.
The applicant had originally applied to run a nightclub but abandoned the idea in the face of objections from residents. A council report read: “Following objections received from residents, and concerns raised by officers, the applicant was advised by planning officers to amend the proposal, to remove the nightclub and music venue uses, as they would not be supported. Furthermore, the applicant has agreed to a restriction on hours of operation to no later than 11pm, and this would be a condition of development.”
City alderman Nicholas Lyons and Nickie Aiken MP wrote in along with 38 other objectors expressing concern about the proposal. Though the majority of concerns centred around the site being used as a nightclub, many objectors expressed worry about the impact of a new drinking establishment on crime and noise levels.
St Olave’s church also wrote in opposing the plans. The site is beneath the railway of Fenchurch Street Station and is a two-storey property set over ground and first floor level. The property at 26A was once a bar and restaurant but has been vacant since 2016 while the site at Crutched Friars was once a Ladbrokes betting office.
The City approved a similar application in October 2019 but no works were carried out before the permission lapsed after three years. A City report read: “Despite the concerns raised, environmental health have not formally objected to the proposal, and have recommended a number of conditions, should the application be approved, including restriction on opening hours with a closing time no later than 11pm on any given day, restriction of use of rear yard by customers, restriction on music noise levels, restriction on servicing hours, restriction on openable windows/doors, restriction on plant noise and a scheme of protection for residents during construction works.”
The council added concerns by objectors would be “suitable controlled” through the use of these conditions. City of London councillors are expected to approve the application during a meeting on April 30.
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