A Battersea pub is set to be demolished despite being granted partial protection by Wandsworth Council four months ago.

Flanagan’s, in Battersea Park Road, was designated as an ‘asset of community value’ in June this year - meaning that, in the event of its sale, members of the local community must have the opportunity to buy it first.

Since this did not happen it is now being demolished to make way for a development which will include 162 residential units, car parking - and another pub.

But Jonathan Kinsella, member of the Save Flanagan’s campaign, said it was “a complete betrayal of Battersea's history and community.”

He said: “Wandsworth Council claims to protect the borough's pubs. Yet just weeks after they gave Flanagan’s protected status, the council then granted permission for it to be demolished to make way for yet more luxury apartments."

A planning application started in September last year proposes a mixed development to construct four new buildings which comprise of 162 residential units, workspace and both cycle and car parking.

A council spokesman said: “The reason this pub is closing is because the owners have decided to sell it. We have used our planning powers to call a halt to its sale to give the local community a chance to purchase it and keep it open and we have insisted that if the new owners redevelop the site they must provide a new replacement public house for the benefit of local people.

“This new replacement will provide a community hub for existing residents and those moving to the area and as well as accommodating traditional pub activities including social gatherings, darts, quiz nights and televised sporting events, it has been specifically designed so it can stage live music events, which will be a legal requirement of the planning permission.”

Cllr Aydin Dikerdem, Labour representative for Queenstown, said: “When the council voted to demolish Flanagan's it was one of the most depressing moments in my time as a councillor. This council seems far more interested in the profits of developers than it does the needs of the community.

“The only hope now is to fundraise – ‘asset of community value’ – means that the locals get the chance to bid for the pub from the developer.”