A hamlet’s only pub will be knocked down and replaced by four houses.

The Chequers Inn, in Basted Lane, Crouch, has been empty for years but Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council have now given developers the go ahead to demolish the venue.

The boozer on the corner of Long Mill Lane is in the heart of the hamlet and closed down eight years ago.

It was listed as an asset of community value in 2014 but was later removed from the list by TMBC due to being out of business for more than five years.

The pub will be partially reconstructed and turned into one home.

As a condition of the scheme an historic ragstone wall will have to be rebuilt.

Platt Parish Council offered no objection to the proposal in principle but did raise a number of concerns around the designs of the semi-detached homes and potential access issues.

Despite the authority and a number of residents citing traffic concerns, Kent County Council Highways offered no objection.