The Ship pub in South Norwood, which was converted into flats by a developer-owner without planning permission, is moving – albeit slowly – back towards being a pub for locals after its status as an Asset of Community Value was upheld by Croydon Council on appeal.

The Ship on Norwood High Street: slow, but steady and significant progress

The property owner had sought to have the ACV status of The Ship overturned. ACV status provides certain additional protections from development under the Localism Act 2011. The Ship will retain its ACV status until 2020.

This means that The Ship building, basement and garden can only be used for specified purposes under local planning regulations, and the developer doesn’t have permitted development rights on these areas.

Meanwhile, the Save The Ship campaigners have their own appeal in, to the Communities Secretary, for enforcement action to be taken against the property owner for redeveloping the building as flats without planning permission. They have also established a social enterprise, “Croydon Community Taverns”, which will stage fund-raising pub nights, from June. Initially, these will be monthly, and then weekly, with a view to acquiring temporary premises while waiting to purchase The Ship.

Another under-threat Norwood pub, The Portmanor, may be heading down a similar planning pathway. Residents who want to keep the Norwood Junction pub open are also considering pursuing the ACV route, after a second planning application to convert the building into flats was refused.

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