Villagers’ fears could come true as plans are drawn up to convert their closed, century-old rural pub into a house.

Almost 150 letters have been submitted to Gravesham council objecting to the proposed scheme for The Amazon and Tiger, in Harvel, near Meopham.

The applicant, Michael Whitehouse, has asked for planning permission to change the use of the building, in Harvel Street, from a public house into a residential property.

The boozer, which was built in 1914 and run continuously as one, closed in April 2021 when the landlord retired.

It was declared an Asset of Community Value (ACV) after a successful application by Meopham Parish Council in May 2021, and the landlord had permission to still live above it.

The following year, planning permission was granted to run part of the extended premises as a B&B while the pub was shut despite villagers’ fears it would be the first step to it being used purely as a residential building.

Their concerns could now come true following the most recent application to increase the size of the existing upstairs flat.

Works would involve replacing the kitchen on the first floor with a bedroom and removing the bar, servery and seating area on the ground floor into a snug or study, dining room and sitting room.

The existing kitchen, utility room, and toilets would stay while the attached B&B would not be affected.

The application is set to be discussed at a planning committee meeting next week (Wednesday, May 22) after a councillor called it in.

Council officers have recommended it for refusal as the loss of a pub would contradict local and national policy.

Their report said: “Whilst the proposal would be in keeping with the surrounding area and not harm the conservation area, the proposal would result in the loss of a community asset.

“The Amazon and Tiger is listed as an ACV and before its closure, the public house played a key role in meeting the social infrastructure requirements of the local community.

“Given these factors, the evidence provided by the applicant is considered insufficient to justify that a viable public house cannot be operated from this location and that there is no interest from third parties to operate the public house.”

In his supporting statement, Mr Whitehouse admitted it was not marketed but claims as it is closed it is no longer an existing pub and “serves no local need”.

He added: “Marketing would be pointless without residential accommodation or the B&B units.

“The applicant contends the proposal is in accordance with the plan, thus permission should be granted.

“Even if it is considered policies pull in different directions, a balance must be struck.

“Here, given the wasted built-form/unused floorspace is readily capable of conversion to merge with the existing unit, the B&B remaining separate, there are no harmful impacts, it is considered significant weight tips in favour.

“It is common sense that permission should be granted, it is the right stuff, in the right place, at the right time.”

“The proposal would result in the loss of a community asset…”

Almost 150 objections have been submitted with residents stating the pub was the “heart of the community” and should be allowed to “come back to life”.

Meopham Parish Council has also said it “strongly objects” to the scheme as it is an ACV.

Although it is an ACV, this does not restrict what the owner can do when it remains in their possession from a planning perspective.

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The parish council added: “Allowing the change of use would mean the permanent loss of a valuable village asset and could lead to Harvel itself being less sustainable as a community.”

However, 38 letters of support have also been sent in claiming a home will be better than an empty building and the village does not need the pub with other venues now being used as a meeting place.