A pub developer has been blasted after a protected wall was torn down and a “shocking” replacement built.

Property firm Link ID recently demolished and re-laid the boundary facade to its Grade II-listed former Dukes Head in Hythe.

But Folkestone and Hythe District (FHDC) planning chiefs this month threw out the Bromley developer’s retrospective planning proposals, dubbing the new wall “poor construction” and “harmful” to the surroundings.

On refusing the bid, FHDC’s chief planning officer said in official papers: “The quality of reconstruction is poor.

“The techniques used do not appear to match that for a traditional masonry wall.

“The wall, as built, is considered to be of poor design that does not reflect the appearance of the original. (It is) considered they are harmful to the character, appearance and historic value of the street scene, the listed building, and the conservation area.”

The officer stressed the old boundary walls “formed part of the listed building” and its “loss or degradation would result in a level of harm to the site”.

They stated the design, materials and construction method failed to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area - in which the building is based.

Link, which purchased the former Dymchurch Road tavern in 2022, planned to reopen the site as a cafe or restaurant last year after the district council approved its original plans.

In the developer's previous plans the boundary wall was set to remain in situ.

However, as work progressed on the site it was demolished and rebuilt because, the developer says, it had become wobbly and unsafe.

Following the council’s decision on March 3, Link boss Suzanne Elsey told KentOnline the original wall had “wobbled” and their structural engineer deemed it “unsafe”.

On the rebuild, she said Link was “not happy” with the work and “have stopped the contractor from continuing it,” she said, going on: “We have another specialist ready to redo it.”

Ms Elsey claimed the council’s three-point explanation as to why the project was refused was “vague” and stressed she has a specialist “ready to redo” the work.

A Link spokesman also explained there had been a misunderstanding with the district council as to whether the original wall was meant to come down. They're pushing for a resolution so they can continue to work to bring the site back into use.

Meanwhile, Hythe Town Council (HTC) has been a vehement opponent to the ragstone wall’s removal and ensuing work to rebuild it.

In an objection letter to FHDC earlier this year the authority wrote: “The current wall has been rebuilt using whatever stone was available to rebuild a wall which should never have been removed from a conservation area without consent.

“Once (the wall) had been destroyed, it should have been rebuilt by a qualified stonemason and with the approval of FHDC's conservation officer.

“It is a clear disregard of the rules of a conservation area.

“The current wall has been completed to a very poor finish by builders, including coping bricks on the top of the wall, now removed due to poor workmanship.

“The work has clearly not been carried out by a qualified stonemason but by someone who is not qualified to work on conservation developments.”

Speaking to KentOnline, HTC councillor Stephen Bailey (Ind) strongly criticised the work and backed the council’s decision to refuse the application.

“Once you've removed a wall within a conservation area, then if it had to be rebuilt, it had to be rebuilt with the conservation officers' involvement,” he said.

“It looks shocking how it's been rebuilt. Considering it's in such a prominent position within the town, it really isn’t acceptable.”

Much of the town is an official conservation area where special rules are in place to protect the historic and architectural character of the area.

It means any alterations or rebuilding work, especially involving historic structures like stone walls, must be carried out with the approval of the district council’s conservation officer and to a high standard, often requiring the expertise of a qualified specialist.

FHDC’s recent refusal is expected to delay the wider redevelopment of the Dukes Head, which dates back to 1795.

Link’s plans include converting the ground floor of the pub into a commercial space, creating a one-bedroom and a three-bedroom flat above, and turning an adjacent barn into a three-bedroom semi-detached house.

Planning permission has also been granted for two three-bedroom homes within the rear car park. The pub, which was put up for sale for £1 million in 2018, struggled to find a buyer and was eventually reduced to £825,000.

Link acquired the site after years of failed attempts to sell the property.

Ms Elsey said in January 2024 that work was expected to be completed by April 2024.