Demolition

Confusion as historic pub bulldozed without permission

By Oli Gross

- Last updated on GMT

The Battle of Britain, Gravesend, Kent, before its demolition
The Battle of Britain, Gravesend, Kent, before its demolition

Related tags Demolition

Bulldozers have unexpectedly demolished a historic Gravesend pub without permission, leaving locals and councillors bemused.

Brakspear had submitted a planning application to demolish the Battle of Britain in, Gravesend, Kent to turn the site into flats.

But bulldozers began turning the site to rubble before the application could be considered, according to Gravesend Council.

'Disgust'

Locals have expressed ‘disgust’ at Brakspear for the unauthorised demolition of the Battle of Britain, which has been praised for its large garden and children's play area, restaurant, live music and support of a local hospice.

According to reports, Gravesend Council ordered the work to be stopped once news of the demolition came through, but the site was deemed unsafe by safety inspectors who were forced to order the pub to be reduced to rubble.

Last year in what could turn out to be a similar case, developers demolished the Carlton Tavern, Westminster, London, without permission, and have since been ordered to rebuild the pub​.

Investigating

A spokesman for Brakspear told the Morning Advertiser ​the brewery was investigating whether the appropriate paperwork had been completed and approved, after Gravesend Council reported that the fate of the building had not yet been determined.

A spokesman for Gravesend Council said: "A planning application has been put in for flats, as has an application notice to demolish, but neither of these things have been determined.

"An officer has been to the site and further investigations into the safety of the building are under way. The report from that will clarify what can now be done."

History

Angela Hall, who lives near the pub, told Kent Online​: “The building is a part of history as well as being a meeting place for many locals and families, popular for its large garden and children's play area, restaurant, live music and its support of the ellenor hospice, which holds its fundraising events here.

"I'm shocked by this news and disgusted with Brakspear brewery.

“Everyone would come, it really was a community pub and had a nice feel about it especially as it had a children’s play area out the back.

“It was a family place and there is nowhere else around here like it. It’s a real shame and a shame it’s lost the community feel.”

Related topics Property law

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