The boss of a newly reopened pub has welcomed plans to build 40 homes on its doorstep.

Stacy Reid has led the relaunch of the Bull Inn in Bethersden after the 17th-century village inn shut suddenly in May for more than two months.

The 39-year-old says he intends to be at the pub “for the long-term”, and is buoyed by the prospect of a new neighbouring estate bringing in extra trade.

Developer Esquire has submitted official plans for the residential scheme on a 10-acre plot of land next to the Bull Inn.

“We’re the very first pub on the stretch of road between Ashford and Tenterden,” said Mr Reid.

“So although the potential development is unrelated to us, I think it would very much help the pub and we’d certainly welcome it.”

The application seeks outline planning permission for 40 homes off the A28 Ashford Road.

The estate would comprise a mix of one-bed to five-bed properties, with 16 either affordable or available for social housing.

The plans also include 103 car parking spaces on the site, which is not allocated for housing in Ashford Borough Council’s (ABC) Local Plan 2019.

Documents submitted with the application state: “The provision of up to 40 dwellings of mixed sizes is in accordance with national policy which highlights developments of this kind as important in meeting the housing requirement of the area.

"This is supported by the local council’s planning policy requiring more housing of this type for the current, as well as projected, demand for housing around Bethersden and Ashford in the near future.

"The intention of the development is to create an integrated and well-designed community which contributes positively to the housing and land supply mix in the local area whilst delivering a suitable and, above all, sympathetic addition to Bethersden."

As yet, there have been no representations made by locals about the proposals on ABC’s planning portal.

But Mr Reid is hopeful the Bull Inn will reap the benefits of more people moving into the village.

The Shepherd Neame pub shut at the start of May after the previous landlords decided not to renew their tenancy, describing the boozer as “just not viable for us”.

It has since been leased by The Elm Pub Group, with Mr Reid taking the reins as general manager.

“When we found The Bull Inn was available, we popped in to visit and instantly fell in love,” he said.

“We’re very happy with how things are going and have had previous clientele come in already.

“We’ve done a lot of work in the garden and brought in some bands.

“We are also trying to go down the dry-led route as we all love food.

“There’s so much space here to play with, and the fact is we didn’t actually have to alter too much apart from cosmetic changes like deep-cleaning, painting and new furniture for outside.”

The Bull Inn dates back to 1645 and was temporarily used as a training centre by the Home Guard during the Second World War.

Mr Reid believes it has all the ingredients to make it a success in the future.

“This place is an opportunity to shine for myself and all of the team here, so we’re very committed,” he said.

“We don’t know Bethersden as well as the locals, but we feel like we’re doing really well so far and are planning to be here for the long-term.”