Work is set to begin to bring a derelict 16th-century pub “back to its former glory” after plans for its transformation were approved.

Husband-and-wife duo Jeff and Sue Smith bought The Ship in Darenth in December 2021 after it closed its doors in August of that same year.

The pair drew up plans to partially redevelop the boarded-up boozer into a micropub and build two, five-bed homes to make better use of plot in Green Street Green Road.

Following three Dartford council planning committee meetings, members decided to go against their officers' recommendations for refusal and approve the proposals.

Speaking to KentOnline outside the site, Sue said: “I am absolutely relieved. It has been a long and challenging process but it was all for our family and its future.

“We are truly invested in this project for the long term and hope to do the right thing by bringing this derelict building back to life for the community while providing much-needed homes and employment.

“We have had a lot of support from the neighbours, people in the area and parish councillors. They have all been behind us.

“It was really in need of a cash injection to give it a refurbishment. We could not just come in and reopen it, it needs work to bring it back to its former glory.

“We are really excited to get it reopened. Hopefully, it will be open for many years.”

Sue and Jeff have worked in the hospitality industry for around 34 years and used to run an events catering firm before having to give it up due to ill health and other family commitments.

However, with their sons Sam and Joe, the family, from Meopham, will be working behind the bar at The Ship once the renovations are complete.

The scheme for the public house, which has a mock Tudor exterior, was first submitted to Dartford council in January 2023 by Jeff and Sue’s private company Llamedos Properties.

The “infill" development will see the two extensions built on the pub and seven outbuildings demolished, a new single-storey extension built for a garden room and the upper floor converted into two one-bedroom flats.

The firm also has planning permission to build two five-bed houses with basements. However, the plots of land are being sold with the proceeds being invested into the pub refurbishments.

Representations from nearby businesses showed support for the redevelopment saying the site has become popular with fly-tippers and anti-social behaviour and will continue to “degrade” without investment.

However, in their report council officers recommended the scheme be refused as it was deemed “inappropriate” and “would be significantly harmful to its openness and the purposes of the green belt”.

The application was discussed by councillors at a third planning meeting on March 14 who decided there were very special circumstances allowing it to be given the green light.

In their view, the perceived benefits of the scheme outweighed the harm to the openness of the green belt.

Llamedos Properties’ planning consultant Graham Simpkin Planning said usually it would expect objections to green belt proposals from councillors and those living nearby.

Speaking to KentOnline, planning director Paul Nicholls, said: “We have had 100% support from residents, businesses, landowners and the parish council. It is pretty unheard of.

“Where normally we might expect support from the planning officers, in this case, it was certainly the opposite.

“A lot of that made the borough councillors feel that this was an unusual case for a green belt development.

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“We are grateful to the councillors for seeing the benefits of this development and ultimately going against the recommendations of the officer.”

The Smiths are hoping to welcome their first customers in autumn this year.