The historic Old Spotted Dog public house in Forest Gate, believed to once have been a hunting lodge for King Henry VIII, is to be refurbished as a pub and restaurant with a linked hotel with 68 bedrooms.
The historic Old Spotted Dog public house in Forest Gate, believed to once have been a hunting lodge for King Henry VIII, is to be refurbished as a pub and restaurant with a linked hotel with 68 bedrooms.
Members of Newham Council’s Strategic Development Committee approved the proposals on Monday at the end of a meeting held via Zoom because of social distancing requirements, and which was broadcast live online for residents to watch.
The former public house on the corner of Upton Lane and Wyatt Road was closed in 2004 and has remained vacant since. It has fallen into significant disrepair since its closure and has been included on Historic England’s Building at Risk register.
The public house itself is Grade II listed and is considered to be the oldest secular building surviving in Newham. The earliest part of the building, fronting Upton Lane, dates from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Applicants Highpride Properties Ltd were granted planning permission and listed building consent to restore the historic part of the building and build an adjacent hotel over two, three and four storeys. In the listed part of the building there will be nine upstairs bedrooms, a pub-restaurant café on the ground floor and a meeting room available for use by the community, plus a function room at basement level.
A new building adjacent but separate from the listed building, occupying part of the existing car park, will provide a 68-bedroom hotel. A pergola will link the listed building and the new building at ground floor level. The remainder of the car park will become a lawned garden.
The proposal received support from Historic England and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings. A report considered by the committee said: “Proposals are considered wholly beneficial to the historic building, the historic layout of which will be reinstated. Its inherent significance as a Tudor public house will be further returned by restoring original floor levels and layouts.”
Councillor Daniel Blaney, chair of the Strategic Development Committee, said: “This is probably the most natural and viable use for the site given its heritage. It is believed to have been Henry VIII’s hunting lodge and was used as a coaching inn for several centuries. There are some really exciting ideas in this development. Once refurbished, with its historical association, the listed building will itself be a visitor attraction, and being able to stay overnight will be an added attraction. It can also become an important hub for the local community.”
The applicants have said that up to 40 jobs could be created as part of the development with Newham residents occupying at least 35% of construction phase jobs, and 50% of end user jobs, with a commitment to offer at least one apprenticeship opportunity.
The applicants have also said that in line with Newham Council’s commitment towards community wealth building, they will engage local contractors as much as possible and use local resources and goods during the operation of the facility.
The committee heard that the Council’s planning officers were satisfied that the proposal would not adversely impact on the living conditions of neighbouring residential properties in terms of loss of light, outlook, privacy, noise and disturbance.