Developer Udhyam Amim applied for planning permission after demolishing the Alchemist pub in Battersea, and said planned building works revealed that the building was so unsafe it had to be knocked down immediately.

A spokesman for the council said: “The loss of this important local landmark and prominent historic building in a conservation area was judged to be against the public interest.”

Commenting on the planning application online, local Mark McLellan said: “It is shocking that a developer believes they can demolish a building with complete disregard for the proper planning process regardless of the merits of the building. To approve any demolition retrospectively sets a very dangerous precedent. Victorian buildings are part of what gives London its unique character. ”

Dale Ingram from pub heritage and planning consultancy Planning 4 Pubs added: “Developers should not be demolishing pubs without getting consent from the council in advance. This was an extremely handsome building in the middle of conservation area.”

The three-storey building was previously known as the Fishmonger’s Arms before being renamed as the Alchemist.

Planning chair and councillor Sarah McDermott had previously described the building as integral part of the local area and said the council was ‘determined it should be restored for future generations.’

The Alchemist is the second pub to be destroyed and then ordered to be rebuilt in London after Westminster council ruled the Carlton Tavern should be rebuilt ‘brick by brick.’