An Eltham pub which was saved from becoming a McDonald's has been given more protection from developers following a community campaign.

The Dutch House Pub, in Mottingham Road, was successfully listed as an asset of community value, a status which lasts for at least five years, by Greenwich Council on March 20.

The boozer was recently eyed up by fast food giants to turn it into a 24-hour McDonald’s drive-through but the application was refused last June after community outrage.

Greenwich Conservative leader Councillor Spencer Drury, MP for Eltham Clive Efford and the Horn Park Tenants and Residents’ Association have since been calling for the building to be granted asset of community value status.

Mr Efford said: "This is good news indeed.

"Planners are starting to realise the vital role pubs play in community life, often providing services beyond the usual drinks, food or entertainment.

"The community role of a pub like the Dutch House is hard to quantify.

"For example the Dutch House plays host to a group of learning and physically disabled people and staff from the Astley Day Centre in Bromley. 

"Without the Dutch House this group will be unable to provide such a service for these people and this is a good example of the largely unseen community services that a pub like this provides."

He added: "This is the last pub in the community and in fact is the last pub in the whole of Middle Park and Sutcliffe ward.”