Protesters have voiced their fury over plans to convert part of a Highgate pub into two flats – branding it a “trojan horse”.
More than 30 worried neighbours have lodged objections with Haringey Council over a proposal to use part of the ground floor at The Winchester Tavern in Archway Road for flats.
Among the critics was Jim Power, who wrote: “It is a clumsy attempt at a stealthy ploy to turn the whole pub into flats.”
And Paul Ainsworth, chairman of the pub heritage group. the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has blasted the bid.
He said: “The application has all the hallmarks of a ‘trojan horse’ - the ultimate aim being to reduce the viability of the pub business to such an extent that a further change of use application will meet less resistance.”
An application document submitted to the council says the pub will remain open on the ground floor.
It said: “The main bar area will remain the same and the pub itself will see a sympathetic improvement and modernisation to current floor finish, lighting layout and interior fixtures and fittings.”
A public consultation on the plan runs until February 2.
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