Plans for new apartments and a top restaurant chain on the site of the former Bun Penny pub are set to be given the go-ahead tonight.

The eyesore pub has been derelict since it was gutted by fire in September 2011, and has long-been branded a major problem for Herne Bay’s image.

Plans to knock down the ruined shell and build 14 new apartments on the seafront were unveiled by businessman Dean Tevfik and architect Ian Barber in January.

In a report released last week, council planning officers gave their backing to the scheme, which would see the demolition of the locally-listed building.

In his report, officer Ben Young said the previous owners were unable to prove to their insurers that the fire was caused by burglary and arson.

He also stated that the estimated cost of restoring it to a pub could cost double the price of the purchase.

Mr Young added that the erosion of the social history of the town was regrettable, but the loss was not thought to be big enough to stop the new plans for the site.

His report outlined the points raised in 16 objections to the application. These included concerns about parking, the size of the new building, and whether it is in keeping with the Victorian seafront.

Some objectors also raised concerns about the plans for the restaurant space below, with fears the garden space will be lost and that the plans put the financial gain of the developer ahead of the community.

But the scheme attracted 25 letters of support, most notably from town centre councillor Andrew Cook (Con) who believes it will help regenerate the seafront and bring further investment to Herne Bay.

Mr Tevfik said he expects the application to be granted at the planning committee meeting in Canterbury tonight.

He said: “I’ve got my fingers crossed that it does go through. I think it will, given the state of the building.

“I’m not looking at a small family restaurant, I would like it to be a big name restaurant chain below.”

Mr Tevfik, who has also purchased arcades next to the former Talk of the Town nightclub, says the seafront could be transformed in time for next summer.

“The plans are still the same and we are ready to go. As soon as we get it we can start. I know it will take more than a year, but by next summer it will start to look really nice. The outline and the shape of it will be there for people to see.”

He added that he expects the demolition work on both his seafront sites to be done at the same time.

To view the plans online visit www.canterbury.gov.uk. The planning committee meets at the Guildhall in Canterbury tonight at 6.30pm.