A developer hopes to build new homes around Plumstead’s Who’d A Thought It but retain the historic pub, according to documents submitted to Greenwich Council. 

The building would be reduced in size with four houses built around it, including on the beer garden. Two of the houses would be split into two flats, making six homes in total.

Two years ago planning officers threw out plans to knock down the pub, which dates back to the 1840s and has historic links with Arsenal Football Club. It was once owned by Jock Craib, a chairman of the club when it was known as Woolwich Arsenal and played in Plumstead. 

At the time, planners said that Goldenspark (Timber) Ltd had not proved that the pub was unviable, saying that the information sent to them was out of date and that the pub was only open sporadically, making it difficult to assess whether it could be a successful business.

CGI image of housing
The developer plans to keep the pub but build homes around it. Image: Goldenspark (Timber) Ltd via council documents

Goldenspark  bought the site for £1.1 million in February 2018, according to Land Registry documents. The pub was later put on the market for £1.2 million. 

The Who’d A Thought It was historically known as one of the Five Idlers of Plumstead Common, and featured on postcards with the rhyme: “The Star which doesn’t shine in the sky, the Woodman who doesn’t cut down trees, the Ship that cannot sail the seas, the Mill which doesn’t grind corn, and Who’d a Thought it!”

Four of the five Idlers survive as pubs. The Woodman later became a restaurant, although that closed recently because of a collapsing roof.

Five Idlers of Plumstead Common postcard
Four of the five Idlers still exist as pubs.

More details on the plans for the Who’d A Thought It are on the Greenwich Council planning website.

Nearby, the hugely popular Plum Tree micropub closed suddenly at the start of the year. The owners said on its Facebook page that they had run into problems after setting up a delicatessen next door, and were hoping to sell the business.

Updated at 10am to include the Woodman’s closure.

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