Developers planning to build flats at the site of an abandoned pub in Plumstead have insisted the pub itself will not be touched.

O’Dowd’s Pub at 67 Plumstead High Street has been shut since 2014 and residents wanted to have the building listed as an Asset of Community Value.

A petition was launched urging people to oppose plans by Langleys Chartered Surveyors to build a three-storey building with eight homes at the site.

More than 300 people already signed the online petition, started by Stephen O’Connor, highlighting that the planning application had no reference to retaining the pub.

However the developers insisted they had absolutely no plans to touch the pub at all and are only building at land behind the pub.

A spokesman from Langleys said: “The planning application does not go on the top of the pub or change the use of the pub.”

The planning application states that the new structure would not be visible from the high street at all, and that the building will “not be affected by the development proposed and there will be no alteration to the building’s appearance when viewed from the street.”

The plans were originally submitted to Greenwich planning office in January 2016 but Langleys said delays with the council has led to the project approval being pushed back.