Hackney Council planners have rejected an application to destroy the historic Hoxton boozer which holds cherished childhood memories for superstar footballer David Beckham - but the fight to save it may not yet be over.

Property developer Wenlock LLP wants to bulldoze the Wenlock Arms, in Wenlock Road and replace with a five-story block of flats.

Becks was often taken to the pub as a child by his beloved grandfather, who lived nearby in Windsor House but died last year.

Over 500 people objected to the application and last week the council threw it out before it reached planning committee stage, recognising the social and historical significance of the building.

Drinkers who formed the Save the Wenlock Committee a year ago when the pub’s owners, Steve Barnes and Will Williams, first announced their intention to sell, are delighted.

But Mr Barnes warned that this may not be the last of the matter, as he believes Wenlock LLP is deciding whether to appeal the decision.

“According to them they haven’t got any grounds for refusing permission, it’s not a preserved building,” he said.

“We are disappointed, my partner is retirement age and we just want to leave,” he added.

“We’ve tried for two years to sell it as a pub, we don’t want to see it knocked down but the way things are at the moment it’s not easy running a pub.”No one from Wenlock LLP was available to comment.