Following the closure and boarding up of the Green Dragon in Winchmore Hill, a petition has been launched calling on Enfield Council to not allow the building to be converted into flats, retail or any other alternative use.
The Green Dragon in its most recent guise: English pub downstairs, Thai restaurant upstairsThe online petition, initiated by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), says that saving the building as a public house is important because
There has been a Green Dragon pub on or near this site since 1726 and we feel very strongly that this traditional part of Winchmore Hill life should be maintained. When properly managed the pub was a vibrant centre of the community filled with laughter and conversation and we believe that with proper ownership and management it can be again. The building is an important historical landmark which identifies Winchmore Hill to those passing through, and as such prevents the area from being just another faceless section of Green Lanes. The pub has survived wars and countless other times of great difficulty and poverty over nearly 300 years, yet we are in danger of allowing it to be destroyed now just because of a few years of poor turnover and somebody's desire to make a quick profit. Please help us to save The Green Dragon and ensure its future at the heart of our community where Winchmore Hill residents can gather together to laugh, talk, eat, drink and celebrate as so many generations have before.
In addition to the petition, it is hoped to register the Green Dragon as an Asset of Community Value. However, even if successful, this might only help temporarily delay any change of use or demolition, as current planning legislation does not provide any particular protection to pubs. CAMRA has in fact been running a campaign to make it more difficult to convert or demolish pubs, which seems to have met with some support within the government and Parliament.
Currently Southgate District Civic Trust is applying to have the Fox in Palmers Green registered as a community asset. Like the Green Dragon, this is a building that, quite apart from its function, because of its size, apperance and position is a notable part of the local townscape. However, unlike the Green Dragon, the Fox is still open and rumours that it was being sold appear to have been unfounded.
