Pub could be turned into bedsits

A once successful village pub is set to be transformed into bedsits.

Developers want to convert Chartham’s disused George Inn in Shalmsford Street into five single-bed homes. They have now applied to Canterbury City Council for permission two years after the previous owners had plans for a holiday caravan operation in its grounds turned down.

Chartham Parish Council leader Carol Manning, of Rentain Road, said: “We will have to wait and see, but I do not believe the accommodation is going to be for local people.

“When I moved here 46 years ago we had six pubs in the village, now we are now down to two. Losing the George is disappointing. It’s good it will be developed into something, but the sad thing is that it won’t be for the village.”

The site’s new owners – who bought the pub at auction – want to transform the ground floor into bedsits. They would keep the first-floor accommodation at the building, which is within the Chartham conservation area.

A public consultation is open until Friday, April 7. To view the application visit www.canterbury.gov.uk/ planning and search for CA//17/00554.