Merton (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Campaigners rally to save the award‑winning Trafalgar Freehouse in South Wimbledon after Merton Council rejects plans to replace it with flats.
The matter is now in the hands of the Planning Inspectorate after developer Adenbuild Construction filed an appeal against the council’s ruling.
The plan, which was turned down in June, called for demolishing The Trafalgar on High Path and constructing a four-story building with six apartments and a smaller ground-floor bar.
Citing the “substantial harm” the plan would cause to the region’s identity, social fabric, and legacy, the council denied the application.
The Bristol Planning Inspectorate will now make the final decision about the bar.
The public has until August 22 to express their opinions through the government’s appeals website.
Before the appeal is decided, locals now have one more opportunity to voice their opinions.
Case number APP/T5720/W/25/3368173 is the reference.
The Trafalgar, which won South West London Pub of the Year in 2024, is renowned for its authentic ales, rustic interior design, and fervently devoted patrons.
Regulars were informed of the news on Sunday by Oli, the Trafalgar’s operator.
He said:
“Yesterday morning many of you will have received the same disappointing letter I did. The Traf is in peril again.
Our freeholder has decided to appeal Merton council’s planning committee decision to reject their plans to erase local history by bulldozing the pub as it stands and replace it with a smaller pub situated in a monstrosity of a four storey building with six flats above it.”
The designs looked like they were something out of an architect’s best impression of something from out of a desolate Tattooine spacescape. Like so many of you, the committee decided that the pub that we all know and love was too important a bastion of the local community to be lost.
“Its status as an important heritage asset and a gem in the less celebrated corner of SW19 as a social hub was recorded as the primary reason for the rejection of the plans.
Fast forward two months, and we are once again facing a decision that is somewhat out of our hands, the appeal has gone to the Secretary of State and the planning inspectorate in Bristol.
But fear not. We will rally again, and we will fight this. Many of us feared this would happen, and despite being roundly rejected, once again we have to dig in and organise to reject this appeal.
Far too many pubs are being lost. Whether it’s developers’ greed, economic turbulence and political ignorance or rising costs. But we are a thriving pub, undeterred, with a wonderful community. So whether you’re a regular, a local, an occasional, a yet-to-visit enthusiast or simply keen on preserving history, join us.”
Local Labour Councillor for Abbey, where the Trafalgar Pub is located, Mike Brunt said:
“I’m incredibly proud of the residents who joined our campaign to save our local pub. But now we need to get to work again to make our voices heard in this appeal.
The Trafalgar is one of the only freehold pubs left in the area and means a great deal to us as a community. It is culturally and historically important, and we believe it should be protected.”
What are the main reasons the council rejected the demolition plan for The Trafalgar?
The Trafalgar is one of the last remaining true freehouses in Merton and has significant heritage value.
It won CAMRA’s South West London Pub of the Year 2024, underscoring its recognized community and cultural importance.
Widespread local objections and a petition with over 500 signatures demonstrated strong public opposition to the demolition plans.
The council planning team recognized the pub as an important local heritage asset that contributes to the area’s character and community cohesion.