The historic Yard Bar in Soho has been saved after planning inspectors upheld Westminster City Council’s decision to protect it.
The well-known LGBT venue in the heart of Soho found itself at risk, as the developer, Consolidated Property Corporation Limited, originally submitted plans to build flats over the courtyard area.
Westminster City Council first blocked those plans in March 2015, but the developer submitted subsequent applications and launched two appeals that were finally rejected in the Planning Inspectorate on 10th August.
In its final report, the appointed inspector described any move to build over the Yardโs courtyard as one which would โfundamentally alterโ the character of the bar.
The decision represents a full vindication of the councilโs two-year battle to protect this much loved Soho bar, which received outstanding support from the local community and the barโs owners, who led a high-profile โSave The Yardโ campaign.
Cllr Robert Davis MBE DL, Westminster City Councilโs Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for the Built Environment, said,
โSoho is one of the most iconic areas of Westminster, with a unique character that everyone at the council is committed to protecting.โ
โThe Yard is a jewel in Sohoโs crown and I am thrilled that we have joined forces with the ward councillors and the local community to ensure it remains open for business.โ
โI am absolutely delighted that Westminster City Council has been able to play its part in saving this long-standing example of Sohoโs history, culture and diversity.โ
The proposals for the development of three flats meant that the courtyard would have been enclosed beneath a glass roof, something which the Soho Society and Historic England also strongly objected to.
This would mean the loss of an โextremely distinctive feature of the bar and its related cultureโ said the planning inspector.
The Yard Barโs owner, Andy Jones, led the โSave The Yardโ campaign which brought the issue to even greater attention.
He said,
โIt has been a very long battle and we are so delighted that we have been successful. The support we got from Westminster City Council, ward councillors, Historic England, Soho Society, heritage experts and the LGBT, business and residential communities was huge and unbelievable. We can’t thank everyone enough. Ultimately, all of their support helped to overcome the multiple applications and common sense has prevailed. Long live The Yard!โ