The redevelopment of a long-neglected pub in Darenth has been approved – with more homes set to be created and a micropub to remain on the ground floor.

Dartford Borough Council gave the go-ahead for Dartford-based Llamedos Properties to begin work on the partial redevelopment of The Ship.

The building has been vacant since August 2019 when the pub officially closed its doors following various license arrangements.

According to Kent Online, the historic mock-Tudor pub has drawn the attention of fly-tippers and witnessed anti-social behaviour since closing its doors.

This proposal was first submitted to the council by Llamedos Properties for consideration in January 2023.

The project involves the partial demolition of extensions, a proposed single-storey side extension, the sub-division of the first floor, and rooms in the roof to form two one-bedroom flats.

The firm has also obtained planning permission to construct two five-bedroom houses with basements.

The revised plans also offer an enlarged residential curtilage to the rear, plus associated access, parking, amenity space, landscaping, and the provision of a meadow.

The development retains the building's intention to remain a public house and is set to morph into a “micropub" on the ground floor.

The decision document explains that the pub “shall not be open to the public outside the hours of 9am to 10pm Mondays to Saturdays and 10am to 4pm on Sundays or Bank Holidays unless otherwise agreed in writing by or on behalf of the Local Planning Authority”.