Kentish Express Ashford & District
Anger as coffee chain eyes up former pub site
the building designated a ‘community asset’.
“If approved by ABC we stand a chance of seeing a return of the last remaining public house in the centre of Charing.
“Charing is a growing village, with all the main facilities and everything we need except a pub.
“The village needs a pub at its centre. It’s ridiculous. Where do we go for a drink or a bite to eat?”
Community assets are land or buildings owned by a community or managed by community organisations.
If the parish council is successful in achieving community asset status for the pub the new owners will be required to follow a longer planning process.
Mr Reed added: “Change of use is not required for a pub to a coffee shop but it would be if the borough council accepts our application.
“So that would slow things up a bit but we hope the borough council would force it to go for full planning permission.”
The Royal Oak pub, in the high street, closed two years ago and has been empty ever since.
Applicants Goldex Investments Ltd are seeking permission to tear down walls, rip up carpets and redesign the pub’s interior.
The application says: “Our proposal will vastly improve upon the existing condition of the building, and most importantly bring a building back into use that will serve as an important part of the vitality and viability of the high street.”
To view the application visit planning.ashford.gov.uk and search application 16/00601/AS.