Hopes of saving a pub that supporters believe contains wood from a famous ship suffered a setback when an application for demolition was submitted.

Developers want to pull down the Royal Oak in Cooling Road, Frindsbury, to build seven houses, and have been backed by an expert who has downplayed its historical significance.

Campaigner Joe O’Donnell, who launched a petition against the plans in February amid claims the pub dates back to the 17th century, said he was disappointed about the application.

Mr O’Donnell, 32, who lives in Cooling Road, has carried out extensive research into the pub’s history.

In a report to Historic England, Mr O’Donnell said one theory was that the pub was named after HMS Royal Oak, which was sunk by the Dutch at Upnor during the Raid on the Medway in 1667.

He said: “I have been told by multiple local people that one of the beams in the pub is from the ship.” Residents are calling for a preservation notice to be slapped on the timber-framed building, which is not listed or in a conservation area, and are backed by MP Kelly Tolhurst.

Medway Council has formally asked Historic England whether it is going to list the building, and the planning application will not go before the planning committee until a decision has been made.

The development is being managed by London firm Nicholas Taylor and Associates.

Mr O’Donnell said: “Nicholas Taylor took people’s email addresses and promised to keep them updated only to sneak in this demolition application while the pub’s status as a listed building and an asset of community value is still being considered.

“The community clearly doesn’t want to see the pub demolished. My requests to discuss whether anyone else could buy the pub back have fallen on deaf ears.

“I would ask everyone to object these poor-quality plans, which would destroy a historic building and a community hub to create a blander area. With the huge redevelopment of the Temple School site opposite the pub, Frindsbury doesn’t need more housing, but it does need a good family pub.”

Medway Council’s planning department commissioned Peter Bell, a heritage adviser with Asset Heritage Consulting, to write a report assessing the architectural and historic significance of the pub.

Mr Bell reported: “The architectural interest of the Royal Oak dates from the mid-18th century but it has been seriously compromised by later alterations and extensions.

“It is my professional opinion that the Royal Oak does not possess the level of architectural and historic interest that should prevent its demolition.”

He concluded that the pub’s heritage significance was low.

Mr O’Donnell disputes this and has complained to Asset Heritage.