Plans to demolish a historic pub in New Cross have been withdrawn to the relief of the community.

The future of the Montague Arms, on Queen’s Road, was in doubt after proposals to knock it down, replacing it with flats, surfaced earlier this year.

On Tuesday, Telegraph Hill councillors discovered the planning application had been withdrawn, giving the much-loved former music venue a chance of reopening post-pandemic.

The councillors, who published a public letter opposing the development, said: “Telegraph Hill councillors are delighted that the application to demolish a valued pub has been withdrawn.

“We will fight for the pub.

“People need places to socialise after a terrible pandemic.”

The ‘Monty’, as it is affectionately known, has played a vital part in the area’s live music scene over the decades, hosting artist’s such as Gang of Four and attracting an infamous visit from The Fall's Mark E Smith, Nick Cave and Shane MacGowan.

After a brief closure in 2018, it reopened as a gastropub, losing much of its traditional character.

It has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic.

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Under the proposed plans, the pub would have been replaced with a four-storey building, leaving a smaller space for a pub, an office and nine self-contained flats.

The estimated cost of the development was between £2 million and £100 million.

The pub previously appeared in lists chronicling Britain's best boozers, admired for decorations including a human skeleton and stuffed animals.

According to the pub's folklore it has attracted visitors as diverse as the Krays and Michael Jackson.

In more recent years it helped launch the careers of young local musicians, such as King Krule.