A Snodland pub has moved one step closer to becoming a supermarket after planning permission was passed to make alterations to the premises.

The Bull, which has been on the corner of Holborough Road and Constitution Hill since 1881, was closed in October following a period of falling trade, with The Co-operative Group acquiring the lease.

Due to a planning loophole, no permission is needed to transform a pub into a supermarket, however an application is needed to make certain alterations to buildings.

On Friday, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council approved a request to install a cash machine, build a single-storey side extension, create a delivery area, remove trees and construct a new access at the site.

Luke Chapman, a Snodland resident who has led a campaign to save the pub which saw 500 residents sign a petition, said: “It’s shocking to see that the borough council will not listen to their residents.

“Maybe if it went to the area planning committee the borough councillors would have heard what the residents had to say about the development. Snodland has lost an iconic building from the town. I have contacted the four borough councillors and the planning department of TMBC to see if the hanging sign from the pub can be donated to Snodland Museum. As of yet, I haven’t heard anything back from any of them.”

The 3,000 sq ft store will open as a replacement to the Co-op’s 46-48 High Street premises but will not affect the shop at number 11 of the same road. It’s not yet known when the new branch will open.