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A developer will have to rebuild a historic pub in Kilburn brick by brick after losing an appeal against an enforcement order from Westminster City Council

In April last year, developer CTLX demolished the 1920s Carlton Tavern in north west London without permission after the council had refused a planning application to replace the building with a smaller pub and 10 flats. The landmark was also being considered for listing when it was flattened.

At the end of last week, a planning inspector backed the council’s subsequent decision to order a replica of the pub to be built on the site.

The inspector’s report said that the loss of original materials would be a ‘substantial loss to its architectural and historic interest’.

However, it said: ‘The materials in the reconstruction could be equally good quality and while not the original it would still provide reasonable evidence for the building prior to demolition and be of architectural and historic interest.’

The inspector gave little weight in his decision to the building being a representation of the work of architect Frank Potter, who he said ‘was not a major architect of the time’.

But he added: ‘Overall, I conclude that the building was of considerable architectural and historic interest prior to demolition and that it is highly likely that it would have been listed.

‘It seems to me that hasty demolition, against what the appellant’s advisors would have recommended, as identified at the inquiry, suggests that the appellant was of a similar view.’

The inspector also rejected an appeal by the developer against the council’s refusal of the original refused planning permission.

However, he increased the amount of time given by the council for CTLX to rebuild the pub from 18 months to two years.

Robert Davis, the council’s cabinet member for the built environment, said: ‘This decision is a just reward for the work of all the local campaigners who have fought so hard to right this wrong.

‘Westminster City Council has stood side by side with residents to demand that the Carton Tavern should be rebuilt brick by brick.’

He said the decision sent a clear message to developers across the country that they ‘cannot ride roughshod over the views of local communities.’

The Carlton Tavern was built in 1920-21 for brewery Charrington & Co.