Tuns of homes

A scheme to convert the Three Tuns at Staple into a home and build nine new homes on the site has been deferred by Dover District Council.

It follows an amendment to the proposals which the planning committee chairman last week deemed should be put out to further public consultation.

Officers had recommended refusal on grounds that included over development of the land. The scheme was also opposed by Staple Parish Council.

Now the applicants, Alistair and Ralph Noel, say the deferment will give them time to “tweak” the application to meet the planners’ concerns, including reducing the number of new homes to eight.

the council was still obliged to consider the application, a planning inspector will now have the final say. Alex Lister, who has been leading the Save The Red Lion campaign, tried to persuade councillors not to grant