A patch of land behind a pub has been put up for sale, with plans to turn it into four homes.

The Bull Inn in East Farleigh, near Maidstone was reopened under new management in February after being vacant for 15 months.

The previous landlords came under fire after it emerged the pub was at the centre of an investigation over animal welfare concerns, with officers from Maidstone council and Kent Police called to the venue.

Before it shut suddenly in November 2022 it had been home to a petting zoo with ponies, goats, ducks, rabbits and more.

Now, as the new team looks to rebuild its reputation, pub owners Stonegate have put part of the grounds on the market.

The 0.464-acre piece of scrubland, off Lower Road, is for sale with estate agents Savills, with the price available on application.

The listing states: “The Bull Inn comprises a site of 0.845 acres and is irregular in shape.

“To the rear of the property is a substantial car park and trade garden.

“Beyond this point is an area of scrubland which is surplus to the pub’s requirements and therefore is available for an alternative use.”

It has included possible plans for four homes to be built on the site.

While planning permission would be needed, Savills says “positive” pre-application advice has been received and describes the application as “likely achievable”.

It is next to, but outside, the East Farleigh Conservation Area.

New landlord Oliver Aubrey and his team spent around five weeks transforming the venue ahead of its reopening at the beginning of the year.

He runs three other pubs, including Drakes in Maidstone town centre, The Walnut Tree in Tonbridge Road and The Little Gem in Aylesford.

Mr Aubrey confirmed the land for sale is owned by Stonegate - which looks after more than 4,000 managed, leased and tenanted pubs across the country.

He said: “I didn't have any plans for it, because when I first looked it was already fenced off.

“It was never going to be part of the tenancy.

“It's probably big enough to fit four houses on there, with the standard of new builds and gardens I would have thought.”

Bar manager Niall Banks added: “The land hasn’t been touched and we don’t have access.

“I think it would have been nice to turn it into a bigger beer garden, but it is what it is.”

Since The Bull Inn reopened, they say business has been improving and it is getting back to being a community pub.

Oliver, Niall and their team hosted a watch party for England vs Spain in the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.

Niall believes it was one of their best nights – despite the disappointing outcome of the game.

He said: “It was a really good day for us. We are gradually building back our reputation.

“However, it is a marathon, not a sprint.”

A spokeswoman for Stonegate said: “The Bull Inn sits on an extremely large plot of land, some of which has been unused for some time and has now been put up for sale.

“The pub will still have a large maintainable garden area for customers to enjoy when the excess land is sold.”