The Yard bar is under threat with a proposal to cover its courtyard and build luxury flats over the first floor bar.

Andy Jones writes how we have one final chance to help save the last remaining historic stable yard in Soho…

My name is Andy Jones and I run The Yard, an independent bar and restaurant in the heart of Soho. The Yard is under serious threat of redevelopment from two applications that have been submitted to Westminster City Council by the owner of the building.

One application proposes to remove a significant part of the original stable frontage, cover the existing yard with a glass canopy and to excavate a large basement, the other to build three flats above two stable roofs. Both of these applications would remove vital features of the original premises, which would result in the destruction of the last remaining, historic stable yard and carriage house in Soho.

The building and open courtyard comprising The Yard at 57 Rupert Street, contribute significantly to the character of the area and has been designated as an unlisted building of merit by Westminster City Council.

At the end of January, the first application was deferred at Westminster City Council’s planning committee for a site visit. The site visit has now taken place and members have had the opportunity to view the unique premises. The application will now be back at committee on 10th March.

“We need the support of the local community to protect The Yard and the Soho Conservation Area.”

Since then, we have been running a campaign to raise awareness about and preserve the carriage yard and the stable building for the enjoyment of future generations. We have written and met with a huge number of organisations and individuals and have had tremendous support from the local community, the Soho Society, the LGBT community, local ward Councillors, the London’s Mayor’s office as well as our local MP, Mark Field.

So far we have succeeded in raising a petition of 2,800 signatures and 1,200 letters of objection to the first application.

Our heritage experts headed down to the National Archives of Kew earlier this week and discovered conclusive proof that The Yard was purpose built as a stable back in 1884.

This historic property first appeared on Goalds Insurance Plans in 1889 and Downd’s Yard occupied almost the same site as the present day yard, which is clearly shown on maps dating back to 1770. We have now also uncovered plans dating back to 1905 in ‘The Horse – It’s Treatment in Health and Disease’ that show The Yard’s original layout, which remains intact today. We have been working closely with heritage professionals and have recently uncovered some fascinating historic facts about the building and its artifacts. The original horse tethering posts are still in the position identified in the 1905 plan and are stamped with the foundry’s name: ‘Musgrave Patent London and Belfast’.

We have also learned that there is the remains of a horse hospital at the rear of one of the properties in Brewer Street, which was built around the same time as The Yard and is Grade II listed. These two properties are the last remaining historic equestrian sites in Soho and need protecting.

The first application would remove 13 inches of original Victorian oversized brick wall together with the sash windows, lintels and hay loft hoisting post together with many areas of the original timber flooring and courtyard. The second application would then further destroy the historic roof and beams of The Yard.

Last week we wrote to the Guardian in response to Chris Smith’s letter conveying English Heritage’s recognition of Soho’s vital qualities and its support for a conservation-based approach to development within the area. As a result we are meeting with English Heritage this week to talk about this historically significant building and work towards getting the applications rejected. The unique historic nature of this building has even surprised me, and I am looking forward to hearing what more English Heritage will find.

However, we need to keep the pressure on Westminster. In the run up to committee we will be pushing our campaign more than ever before and we need the support of the local community to protect The Yard and the Soho Conservation Area.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

Please email centralplanningteam@westminster.gov.uk and object to the two applications on the grounds of

• Increasing public nuisance from smokers that will be displaced on Rupert Street
• Loss of an historically important building and yard
• Over-intensification of the site and that the application does not preserve or enhance the Soho Conservation Area.

• Please quote these references number for the two applications when writing: 14/04624/FULL and 14/12447/FULL

• Please remember to give your postal address otherwise your objection will not be registered.

• Keep Tweeting your support to #savetheyard @Yard_Soho @CityWestminster @JonathanGlanz