A historic pub that will be demolished to make way for a block of flats is "a sign the times are changing”.

The Castle Pub, in Childs Hill, Cricklewood, will be destroyed after Barnet Borough Council’s planning committee granted permission to build a four storey block of flats on the site.

Liberal Democrat councillor Jack Cohen and Labour councillors spent months campaigning to save the pub, which is more than 250 years old.

But under the terms of an agreement, the developers will donate a small amount of money to spruce up the park next to the site.

Cllr Cohen said: “It’s good news that we’ll be able to improve the park as that’s something the community enjoys.

“I am still disappointed we’ve lost a community facility that we wanted to keep. It’s a sign of the times, but at least it’s not going to be a huge block of flats.

“It seems there’s more money in housing than there is in pubs.”

The pub was formerly known as the Castle Inn and is older than the Finchley Road, which was used as a toll road from 1820 to 1871.

An English Heritage blue plaque will also commemorate the building's historic significance.

More than 200 people signed a petition to save the popular live music venue from closure, and when it was finally closed two years ago, there were attempts to list it as a community asset.

Labour parliamentary candidate Sarah Sackman said: "Unfortunately this means the loss of yet another community asset, and sadly it is part of a bigger picture.

“There is a value to preserving public spaces and historical sites like The Castle. There has been a lot of change in Childs Hill, some good and some bad.

"With further developments planned in Cricklewood and the Granville Road Estate, the council should be far more active in preserving the character of Childs Hill with a good mix of affordable housing, shops, and public services.”