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I have not yet seen the written decision but I am led to believe from comments from a number who were there that there was no objection in principle to the loss of either the pub building or its use on the site, and that the application was turned down on the basis that the new design was not good enough to justify the loss of a building making a positive contribution to a conservation area, as well as the effect of other aspects of teh design affecting the fabric and views of the almshouses themselves. English Heritage made the comment that it was 'finely balanced'. The Georgian Group and Victorian Society made their views clear and were against the new design.

However, if it seems the Geffrye have folded their tents with this admission from Chipperfields that they do not have the funds to 'have another go', there is the opportunity for a pub operator, or perhaps the Spitalfields Trust to attempt a rescue after all, a move which would be welcomed by CAMRA. We live in hope.

Dale Ingram
Historic Environment & Planning Consultant and CAMRA's London Region Pubs Protection Adviser.