Supporters of a scheme to save a village pub will learn of the building’s fate at a planning meeting tonight (Thursday).

About 100 members of the steering group, Save The Chequer Inn, will gather with placards for a peaceful protest outside the council’s chamber in Whitfield before the meeting, to show councillors the depth of public feeling.

The committee will be considering the application to change the use of the Grade II listed pub into a single home.

Campaign spokesman Matthew Titterton said villagers have been keen to save the pub for years and 300 people support the cause. Some pledged money and put in an offer to the estate agent selling the building for Punch Taverns.

"There is a wonderful opportunity for it to be the hub it once was" - Matthew Titterton, Save The Chequers Inn

It was turned down in favour of a much lower figure from the developers in 2014.

Last week The Mercury reported that the campaigners had successfully had the building reclassified as an asset of community value (ACV). This means that if it is sold, a six-month delay will have to be applied so the community can raise enough cash to buy it.

Their case has been made stronger thanks to help from a QC who provided a dossier which tore into the planning officer’s report. This was due to be considered at last month’s planning meeting but was subsequently withdrawn to give the council longer to respond.

But the officer still recommends approving the plans.

A hundred objections have been lodged on the Dover District Council website.

Save The Chequer Inn members include actor Neil Stuke, of Silent Witness, Dr Foster and www.Silk.

A TV production company has shown interest in featuring the pub in a make-over. It could include a restaurant, dependent on the protest group’s business plan.

Mr Titterton said: “It has been documented that pubs are just as important to village life as local parish churches, and more important to the social side of village life than ever before.

“They play an important role at the heart of the local community. Now that the tie with Punch Taverns has been broken, there is a wonderful opportunity for it to be the hub it once was, with wide social, cultural, economic and environmental benefits.”

It all hinges on whether the planning committee passes the plans for a change of use at the meeting tonight at 6pm.