Residents fear a bid to breathe new life into an old pub will spark more "traffic chaos" along one of Canterbury's busiest routes.

Developer Jeyarajah Jeyanathan has revealed plans to transform The Mill in Sturry Road into a convenience store and three flats.

The site - formerly known as the Run of the Mill - has been left empty for almost four years, having changed hands twice since it closed its doors for good.

But three people living near the vacant boozer have opposed the scheme, amid concerns it will worsen the "already-hideous" congestion nearby.

In a letter sent to the city council, neighbour Lorna Pollock argued: "Traffic chaos and parking difficulties already exist in this area.

"Resident parking for this proposed development must be unambiguous.

“The proposed shop would further exacerbate traffic flow and impact parking.”

Fellow local Emma Twyman also has "great concerns about parking for the flats".

She says she "already has problems with people thinking my private drive is a public parking space”.

Meanwhile, Day Day International Food Store manager Mahmud Mariwah, whose shop is just two doors down from the closed pub, believes his takings will be squeezed by the launch of a rival nearby.

The 49-year-old, who says his business is already struggling with hikes to import prices, stresses staff "are worried about it all".

The Mill closed down in 2019, not long after a cannabis factory was discovered at the property.

Although the boozer had been struggling for some time, the final blow came when police ordered bosses to employ security staff every night to deal with petty crime and anti-social behaviour.

Previous owner Marcoz Properties & Developments said last year the added expense forced the business to fall into the red.

"Rather than being a force for good and positive service within the community, the pub had the opposite influence and the police effectively forced it into closure," the firm stated.

"It has been the focus of a degree of petty crime and anti-social behaviour, which has made it impossible for operators to succeed."

The launch of the £115 million Riverside complex, which will soon house several bars and restaurants close by, was also blamed for the watering hole’s struggle to remain viable.

Papers for the scheme show the planned shop will have 100 m sq of floor space.

The area to the rear of the business will be transformed into a flat, while two more will be created above.

Northgate councillor Alan Baldock agrees with residents that traffic and parking are particular issues in the area, but says this does not mean the proposal can be blindly dismissed.

"The plans represent a big change for the residents in that area," he told KentOnline.

“With all the building work in Sturry Road the traffic is just ever increasing.

"The congestion at peak times is hideous."

Cllr Baldock made a recommendation - which has been heeded - for the proposals to go before the local authority's planning committee.