Derelict Knyght makes way for family homes

A derelict pub at the heart of a city housing estate will be developed into new homes.

The Gentil Knyght, on the corner of Knight Avenue and Shipman Avenue, has been empty for 18 months since being sold by Shepherd Neame and had become a target for vandals, with windows smashed, the doors forced open and cars being burned outside.

In February, long-suffering neighbours warned children were also going into the abandoned pub and using it as a playground and head teacher of The Canterbury Academy, Phil Karnavas, said the school had been in touch with the city council to raise concerns.

But last Friday, a planning application submitted by Raymond Stemp Associates to demolish the dilapidated building and build five twostorey terraced homes was granted permission.

A proposal to build six threestorey houses on the plot was turned down in October due to the size of the development.

Cllr Michael Dixey, leader of the Lib Dems on Canterbury City Council, says he is delighted it will be turned into family homes.

“It had become an eyesore and there were all sorts of problems with vandalism, but I think that had stopped recently,” he said.

“There was a planning application that had gone in for three-storey housing and that was turned down, quite rightly. It would have stuck out like a sore thumb.

“This is much more in keeping with other buildings on the London Road estate, which is a nice estate, the only drawback being the number of HMOS.

“I’m just hoping the work will proceed quickly with these homes.”

He added: “It’s a pity we have to lose a pub but it started getting run down a few years ago so it’s no surprise.”

Planning documents state that despite being marketed numerous times, no chain or independent companies within the food or drink industry were willing to invest.

Earlier this year, neighbours demanded the site be developed into homes with some warning it could end up being torched if left empty.

Before it shut, the pub had changed hands several times with seven different licensees between 2000 and 2016.

At one point it was believed to have been run by a group of bikers from Margate.

Three months before it was sold by brewer Shepherd Neame it was raided by police who found a small amount of cannabis.

The former Gentil Knyght pub will be turned into homes