Grove SW19, Merton

As there is no requirement for a planning application or public consultation for converting a pub into a shop the Grove was converted to a Tesco Express supermarket which opened in June 2013. An earlier planning application to demolish for retail and flats had been rejected for reasons including that 'the proposals would result in the loss of an existing public house, for which the applicant has failed to demonstrate by means of appropriate marketing evidence whether the existing public house is economically viable, resulting in the loss of a community facility, which includes an ancillary entertainment function, thereby diminishing facilities available to the community, contrary to adopted policies L.15 & L.16 of the Merton Unitary Development Plan (2003)'. Unfortunately, the amended plans for conversion to a shop required no planning permission. Formerly Grove Tavern and was Doyles for a while.