Plans to convert an historic pub and Ashford's former Downtown Diner into flats have been submitted.

Developers want to turn The Swan in Tufton Street into eight one-bedroom flats while the former diner, which more recently became restaurant Po Thai, has been earmarked for seven units.

The Swan was built in the early 1860s as a home and in 1874 a licence to sell alcohol was approved.

However, since 2017 the owners of the building say they have had three tenants who have been unable to make the business viable.

Documents submitted by Kember Loudon Williams on behalf of applicant Rectory Lane Ltd say the pub has “experienced closure and loss making” over the past few years.

If approved by Ashford Borough Council, the plans would see it converted into eight apartments while a small extension at the back and a shared garden space would be built.

Part of the building would also be covered by a green roof.

While there would be space for six bicycles, there would be enough parking for only three cars.

Council guidance says there should be a minimum of one space per unit in the town, however, as the site ‘promotes sustainable travel modes’ the reduced parking scheme is seen as acceptable, according to the developers.

Meanwhile, the former diner in Park Street, close to The Panorama, could hold three one-bedroom flats, and four two-bedroom flats.

There are currently only two parking spaces available but this would increase to three if the plans – which have been submitted by applicant Oruc Gurkan – are approved.

Ashford MP Damian Green feels putting the buildings to use is a good thing.

"What I hate to see is empty properties so it’s better to put them to some use"

“Having people living in the town centre these days is good because it supports the shops, pubs and restaurants that remain,” he said.

“But you want enough of the shops and pubs so people have somewhere to go. You have to make individual decisions based on the context and the wider offering in the town centre.

“What I hate to see is empty properties so it’s better to put them to some use.

“Having people within walking distance of the shops and restaurants is a good thing, it means there is always life around the town centre.

“It depends on how sympathetically they’re changed. The Swan is a nice building and I hope the essentials of the building are preserved.”

Before Po Thai opened in 2016, the building was the Press Rooms.