A much-loved pub that’s to be converted into housing will be a “great loss to the community”, says a loyal customer.

Planning permission has been granted to turn The Scared Crow, in West Malling, into two homes.

Savana Crosby, of Harvest Ridge, Leybourne, has spent every birthday at the venue for the past seven years.

This year, she will not be able to celebrate at the Offham Road pub and restaurant.

The 29-year-old said: “Having the Scared Crow closed down is such a great loss to the community.

“Having such an independent, small restaurant so local was lovely as opposed to a chain.”

Savana’s family would visit the pub on all birthdays in the household and would also order takeaways during lockdown.

“When we read about it potentially closing last year we visited twice, but I think it has such high competition from the high street,” she added.

The approved plans for the building would see it transformed into two three-bedroom properties.

The student nurse, who is almost ready to buy her own home, thinks they will probably be out of the price range of first-time buyers.

But she admitted living in what was once her favourite restaurant would be “quite a novelty”.

The planning application to convert it into two family homes was submitted to Tonbridge and Malling council by the landlady, Tina Beadle, last May.

West Malling parish council objected saying it would lead to the loss of a “well-loved pub” which had been designated an asset of community value (ACV), supported by an overwhelming majority of residents in a survey.

In a statement written by the council’s clerk, Claire Christmas, the parish raised concern about significant harm to the heritage value of the site and the loss of jobs.

The statement said: “The proposal will result in a loss of local employment, in particular a number of longstanding reliable jobs filled by local residents.”

The planning application letter states seven people were employed at the pub.

A letter of support for the planning application was given from the director of Highgate Planning and Development Ltd, Adem Mehmet, who was acting on behalf of the landlady.

Mr Mehmet said: “The existing building has lawful use as a public house, however for a number of years the business has struggled to turn a meaningful profit margin.”

The letter said there was “very limited footfall due to the location away from the High Street,” in addition to direct competition from the five other pubs and bars and seven licensed restaurants.

“This provides considerable competition for trade and is four times the national and regional average for number of establishments for one town,” Mr Mehmet added.

One objection from a neighbour on the planning portal said: “The argument about the viability of the business does not stand.

“Under the right management, who have an ambitious and strategic business model, there is every chance this pub would be a profitable business.”

Another West Malling resident was in support of the conversion and said: “As much as it’s sad that any business is struggling there is no point in continuing to trade.

“There are five local public houses in West Malling and several on the outskirts as well as Malling Club that sells its products about 30% cheaper than elsewhere.”

In total, three other people objected and four put forward representations in support of the proposal.

In the committee report, which details the decision on the planning application, it said: “The loss of the community facility is regrettable, but the continued operation as a pub has been shown to be non-viable.

“The proposal would secure a viable use for the building, and no bids were received under the ACV process from the community to take over the running of the pub.”

It comes as earlier this week KentOnline reported a village’s last-remaining pub could be turned into a house.

The Scared Crow pub was declared an ACV in 2021, meaning its importance to the community was recognised.

The planning permission was approved on December 20.

Find out about planning applications that affect you at the Public Notice Portal.