In short, yes, this is a pub that we recognised was not likely to continue and that conversion to residential use would be appropriate in this location. At the same time as loosing this pub Forest Hill gained the Sylvan Post, so the total number of pubs in SE23 did not change.
Most people in Forest Hill did not know this pub existed, but it had its regulars. It is a shame to lose a pub, but places change, and there are a number of other pubs in close proximity.

There was an earlier application for the conversion of the ground floor and basement into residential. The Forest Hill Society had a number of concerns including the lack of social housing, the quality of the residential space, the attempt to label the basement units as live/work to avoid various planning regulations, and other issues. So once that application had been rejected by the council we were pleased to see a much better plan with better living space and including some social housing.

Objection to the 2012 application can be viewed at http://www.foresthillsociety.com/2012/04...-road.html