A 19th century pub will be knocked down and replaced with a more modern pub alongside a housing development.

Following an appeal, the Planning Inspectorate ruled in favour of developers Redbourne who plan to transform The Queensbury, in Walm Lane, Willesden Green.

It comes after Brent Council rejected proposals for a new pub at the site as well as community space and 48 new homes.

Campaigners seeking to protect the pub criticised the scheme at a council planning meeting earlier this year.

They voiced concerns about the scale and design and described it as a potential “Trojan horse” development, with the promise of a new pub and community amenities far from guaranteed.

Following the decision, despite inevitable disappointment, the ‘Save the Queensbury’ campaign pointed out that it achieved two smaller victories.

The developer will have to go back to Brent Council if it opts to change the proposed pub to another use and it must work with Busy Rascals, a baby and toddler group that used the pub, to find an alternative space while construction takes place.

In a statement, the group said: “All in all, we started this process in 2012 with a 10-storey tower and no pub.

“We end 2019 with a smaller block and commitment of a pub, if best intentions are delivered.”

A spokesman for Brent Council said it stands by its decision to reject the proposals but accepted the ruling from the Inspectorate.

He said: “The council refused permission for this scheme and defended this position at the inquiry.

“However, the inspector’s view is that the proposed development does not impact on the conservation area and that community use of the building is protected.

“Our view is that the design of the proposed scheme is poor, and we mounted a strong defence of our position, so naturally we are very disappointed with this decision.”