A community is fighting to save a Grade II listed former pub which has been “left to rot” and is at “high risk of collapse”.

The site of what used to be the Bat and Ball in London Road, Southborough has fallen into disrepair since the development company and owners, JVIP, went bust in 2022.

The Grade II listed, 18th-century timber-frame cottage had served as a public house until around 2002 when it was converted into a Chinese restaurant.

It was later bought by JVIP and plans were filed to convert the building into three flats but they fell through with the dissolution of the company.

Now in the hands of administrators Begbie Traynor Group, residents say it has become an eyesore, attracting vandals and becoming a safety risk, while the local MP has said it is “disgraceful neglect”.

Southborough councillor, Brian Dury, has been pushing to find a way to prevent the pub from being lost.

“I have written three times to the conservation officer at Tunbridge Wells Borough Council about the building’s neglect,” he said.

“I have also written to the administrator saying the hoardings are down, vandals are getting in, and it is a fire and safety hazard.

“We have two Grade II listed buildings in Southborough and sadly it seems this one is being left to rot.”

Cllr Dury said the site has had an affect on the area.

He continued: “There is a row of shops nearby that have all been affected by this derelict site.

“They all said it's detrimental to their business no one wants to go down there seeing that.”

Cllr Dury has also been aided by the Southborough Society who collectively wrote a letter to MP Greg Clark for help.

A spokesperson for the group, Diane Blackwell, wrote: “Due to vandalism and anti-social behaviour the building has been devastated.

“All windows smashed from front, rear, and side and permanently left unsecured.

“With so much of the building left vulnerable to the elements, it is at high risk of collapse.”

Mr Clark responded to the letter.

He said: “The disgraceful neglect of these buildings has led to them becoming eyesores and I share the concern that their importance as buildings will be compromised.

“Action needs to be taken to remedy an unacceptable situation.

“I have already written to the company that is acting as administrators to press them to take action.

“I have also been in contact with Kent Fire and Rescue Service, who in my experience are very responsive in these types of circumstances, to ensure that they are taking every precaution to prevent a fire breaking out at the site and being able to respond quickly should that happen.”

Along with the Bat and Ball, the former Lloyds building, designed by Horace Field, – a known Victorian architect who designed many banks for Lloyds – has also been left neglected and prone to vandal strikes.

Plans to turn the former bank into residential housing were also on the cards but also fell through with the collapse of JVIP.

Cllr Dury has been persistent with Tunbridge Wells council but with the Bat and Ball owners in liquidation, he was told the actions that could be taken are limited.

A spokesperson for the local authority said: “The council’s Conservation Officer has been monitoring the building since 2016.

“Planning permission had been granted but unfortunately the developer went out of business and the site is now in the hands of an administrator.

“We have visited the site to assess the condition of the building on more than one occasion, including in the past week.

“We understand Cllr Dury’s concern and we have responded to his communications.

“While there are several options available, the action the council can take is limited. We are discussing this with our legal team to determine the most appropriate way forward.”

Cllr Dury hopes the pub could return to serving the people again but ultimately does not want to lose the building.

He said: “It would be delightful if it could be made for trade again, we have no nightlife anymore.

“We used to have three pubs, The Flying Dutchman, The Bell and the Bat and Ball.

“It would be perfect if the Lloyds bank became a residential space and the Bat and Ball became a pub again but all we want now is to save the building.”

Both JVIP and Begbies Traynor Group were approached for comment.

A meeting between Mr Clark and members of the Southborough Society has been organised to talk about the future of the building.