A property development firm is appealing against a bid by regulars to prevent a Finsbury community pub being turned into luxury flats.

The White Lion, in Central Street, closed in September last year, four months after the pub and flats above were snapped up by property developer Universal Consolidated Group (UCG) for £2m.

However, regulars were buoyed by the approval of Bunhill ward councillor Troy Gallagher’s application for the pub to be listed as an asset of community value (ACV). This means attempts to convert it into flats or a shop would almost certainly be blocked by Islington Council.

But UCG has appealed against the decision, saying the pub did not bring “social wellbeing” to the community.

The company will put its case at a hearing before a panel of senior council officers on March 18. It is the first time the Town Hall has heard an appeal against an ACV application.

• Keywords
  PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC HOUSES, SOCIAL WELFARE
• Geographical keyword
  CENTRAL STREET
• Persons keyword
  Central Street White Lion Public House, Troy Gallagher