The future of an historic village pub will be the source of debate at a parish council meeting this week.

Bearsted Parish Council will meet at King George V Memorial Hall, Manor Rise, to discuss plans to transform the historic Old Plantation Inn at 7.30pm on Thursday.

Proposals to replace the grade II listed free house with three luxury homes were initially put to Maidstone Borough Council in September.

If approved the Plantation Lane premises, which has been operating since at least 1860, would be partially knocked down and transformed into one home, with two other dwellings built on the 0.24 hectare site.

A decision was due last month but after applicant Heritage Designer Homes Ltd made slight changes to the plans they were resubmitted for a further public consultation period, which closed yesterday.

The amendments see reductions in the mass, height and footprint of the proposed new buildings.

The plans have been widely criticised by residents who claim the suggestion the pub is not a viable business is incorrect, with a petition against the development attracting more than 600 signatures.

Steve Swift, who owns the pub and Heritage Designer Homes Ltd, has previously said if anyone comes forward willing to take on the lease he will allow them to do so.

Following the parish council meeting it is expected the proposals will be put before MBC's planning committee.