Walsall pub campaigners 'over the moon' as developer withdraws from hearing
Campaigners fighting to save a closure-threatened Walsall pub from becoming shops have won a reprieve after the developer withdrew from an appeal hearing.
Residents had been fighting plans to turn The Magic Lantern, in Beechdale, into a convenience store and four shop units.
Pub owner Red Star Estates Limited has planning permission to re-develop the site, despite hundreds of objections and the action group's bid to rescue it for the community.
A successful application was made to Walsall Council to get the Cavendish Road pub recognised as an asset of community value, giving residents the chance to club together and buy the building should it come up for sale.
The developer then lodged an appeal against the move at Walsall County Court that was due to be heard May 29.
Birchills and Leamore representative Councillor Tina Jukes said: "There is no appeal they pulled out the morning it was due to be heard at court so the Lantern at present stays as a pub which is fabulous for the community of Beechdale.
"We are over the moon that they have withdrawn the appeal.
"It's what the community and the residents want. The pub is still open for business and people are holding events there.
"The owner was taking Walsall Council to a tribunal over the decision to create a community asset management. Their objection was that because the building has been given this new status they can't now create the retail space.
"We don't know why they withdrew the appeal."
She said the failure of the hearing to go ahead means that more entertainment nights can be planned for the venue situated at the junction with Bloxwich Lane and Bentley Lane.
The next event will be a Ska disco.
A Facebook page has also been set up to promote the campaign.
Competition in the drinks business and the financial downturn have been blamed for the decision to close the pub and convert it.
Red Star Estates Limited had hoped to start the building work earlier this year and said it had tenants already lined up for the scheme that would create 16 jobs if it went ahead.
Walsall Council has confirmed that the appeal was withdrawn by Red Star and that the pub will remain on the community assets list.
Red Star was not available for comment.
