A pre-World War One heritage building on Old Kent Road has been saved from demolition threats.

Councillors voted to withdraw demolition rights on The Old Southern Railway Stables and the Forge, a heritage building at Old Kent Road, at a planning committee meeting following concerns the current owner was looking to demolish the building.

This comes after the London Plan – a development strategy for Greater London written by the London Mayor – designated Old Kent Road as an “opportunity area.”

Development in the area has resulted in a loss of heritage buildings, according to council documents.

“Over the years a number of buildings within the Old Kent Road area have been demolished through permitted development which could have been considered heritage assets, resulting in a heritage loss to the area,” planning documents read.

The London Plan proposes significant transformation of the area over the next 20 years, including the extension of the Bakerloo Line with new

stations along the Old Kent Road, 20,000 new homes and 10,000 new jobs.

The decision will ensure any planning applications will need to consider the retention of the heritage-value of the site.

“It provides the opportunity to encourage a heritage led redevelopment of the site,” the documents outlined.

A planning officer said the buildings were “characterful” and a “reminder of the history of the area.”

The planning committee questioned planning officers about the likelihood of the current owner seeking compensation, but the planning officer said the decision – made through what is called an Article 4 Direction – would not make the council liable for compensation.

“This is why the Article 4 is in place; to ensure proper planning. That is why we would use it,” a planning officer said.

She said the council had involved the current owner in planning decisions.