How the new development could look

A PICTURESQUE pub is set to be turned into a house with a new block of flats built behind it.

The Bird In Hand, in West End Lane, Kilburn, has stood closed for nearly 20 years with attempts to demolish it always being blocked.

Now, a new application to turn the old bar – which first started serving beer in 1831 – into a self-contained home has been submitted to Camden Council. Developers also want to build five storeys of private homes behind it. Officials are currently looking over the designs.

The pub was known for having a marker on its side wall indicating how high the water had risen during a storm in 1975.

It sits close to a water drain where you can hear a stream running under the streets rushing with water after heavy rain.

Thames Water has warned that any piling work connected to the new development should be run past it to avoid any damage to the sewer system.

For most of the 20th century, the pub was part of the network of Truman’s brewery pubs and popular among residents on the neighbouring Kilburn Vale estate.

Some objections to the scheme were raised during consultation events held on behalf of developers KK4 Limited, including warnings that the new building will tower over the Georgian pub building, and overshadow the adjacent council blocks.

“It is far too tall and is a very ugly building in juxtaposition to the original Bird In Hand pub to boot,” said one anonymised response.

Another added: “I believe the area could be used for better purposes: parking is one example, a small community garden is another. Why not an allotment? Considering the rises in prices recently, it might be better for members of the community to grow their own food, saving money for other things. I really don’t think that we would benefit as a community from yet another block of flats. It’s already cramped enough.”

The Kilburn Vale Estate Residents Association said that many of its members felt five storeys was too high.

An application on behalf of developers KK4 Limited said the distinctive gold lettering which used to be on the front of the pub has been removed and kept safe.

None of the nine new homes will be classed in the council’s “affordable housing” bracket, but the company has offered to make a “payment in lieu” to ensure that the project meets local plans to create more housing.

In answer to concerns about the scale of the project, the application said: “The design of the scheme proposed draws influence from the simple, geometric forms of the estate buildings.

“It is carefully considered to complement the existing blocks of the Kilburn Vale Estate whilst not dominating the retained Bird in Hand pub. Materials proposed have been sensitively selected to reflect the existing designs surrounding the site.”

It added: “Careful consideration has been invested to ensure that the size and design of the proposal is appropriate in its context… Inspiration has been drawn from nearby buildings in order to ensure that the proposal seamlessly integrates in its surroundings.”