They might have lost the battle, but it would seem residents have won the war against plans to build more than two-dozen homes on the site of an illegally demolished pub.

Locals were left outraged by the dismantling of the Battle of Britain in Coldharbour Road, Northfleet, in October, with a campaign group launched in an attempt to force landowner JT Davies & Sons to rebuild it.

Hope seemed lost when Gravesham council turned down the group’s bid to have the pub listed as a community asset, with planning consultancy the Caldecotte Group then submitting an application to build 25 flats and houses.

But despite a company director insisting earlier this year that the housing scheme was “right for the local area”, the application has now been withdrawn.

A spokesman for Gravesham council explained: “On enquiry the applicant was updated on the council’s intention to refuse the application this week and has subsequently chosen to formally withdraw the application before a formal refusal of planning permission could be issued.”

How the Battle of Britain was lost

Demolition down to 'communication error'

Council refuses demolition application despite it already being knocked down

Workers survey land ahead of planning application

Community asset bid refused

Protestors take a stand outside pub site

More than 30 letters of objection were written to the council by members of the Battle of Britain Community Group.