From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Alex Langridge, 4 September 2024.

Luxury car showroom plans revealed for the Papermakers Arms in Hawley, near Dartford.

The future of an abandoned village pub next to a garden centre has been revealed.

The Papermakers Arms, in Hawley near Dartford, has sat vacant since closing its doors in April 2022, according to Sidney Phillips, the estate agents who managed its sale.

However, last month the family-run public house was sold privately after being tendered with an asking price of more than £800,000.

It is understood to have been bought by a local business looking to expand its portfolio of sites.

Ward councillor for Wilmington, Sutton-at-Hone and Hawley, Cllr George Holt (Con), has since met with the new owners who shared their plans to convert the derelict boozer in Hawley Road into a luxury car showroom.

He said: “It is really upsetting to see what has happened to this once great pub, the basement flooded, roof tiles fell off and the ceiling almost fell in amongst other things.

Inside the abandoned pub. Picture: Cllr George Holt.

“The new owners plan on this being a luxury car showroom with a planning application expected shortly.

“The planning application will be the residents’ official chance to raise concerns or ask questions about the planned use.

“There will be parking on-site and a clear boundary maintained. They say they are also planning on repairing the building and maintaining its existing structure and aesthetic.

“I appreciate this news is going to be frustrating, and many would have wanted to have seen the pub reopened, or perhaps repurposed as a shop.

“However, we play with the hand we are dealt - the land has a new owner.

“As local councillors, it is our role to push for a reasonable outcome for the village's residents.”

A planning application for the former boozer, next to Hawley Garden Centre, is yet to be submitted to Dartford council.

The garden centre too recently changed hands after being taken over by Kent-based paving and walling manufacturer Castacrete with plans revealed for a nursery and mini golf on-site.

It’s just the latest in a long line of pub closures across Dartford and the surrounding villages in recent years.

Villagers have previously voiced their concerns over the future of The "Bridges" pub in Horton Road, South Darenth, after it too went up for auction last year.

The "Welsh Tavern" in London Road, Stone, shut five months after the "Papermakers Arms" in 2022 and there are plans for it to bulldozed and replaced with eight two-bed and six one-bed flats.

Further afield, the "George and Dragon" in Swanscombe, has also shut permanently and has faced numerous bids for it to be turned into a pizza takeaway.

The building, which has been empty for almost five years, is situated at the edge of the site of the A226 Galley Hill Road cliff collapse.

Plans approved to convert The Papermakers Arms in Hawley into a car showroom.

Plans have been approved to turn a former village pub into a car showroom.

The Papermakers Arms, in Hawley near Dartford, has sat vacant since closing its doors in April 2022.

The former Papermakers Arms in Hawley is set to become a car showroom. Picture: Cllr George Holt.

It was sold to Belvedere-based SBT Estates in August last year (2024), who later revealed its plans to convert the site, next to Hawley Garden Centre, into a luxury car showroom as it looked to expand its portfolio of sites.

In January, the applicant submitted an application to Dartford council seeking permission to change the use of the building and make alterations to its exterior, including changing windows and creating full-height openings on the ground floor.

According to the planning, design and access statement, the most notable feature will be the creation of large aluminium-framed sliding and folding doors, which the firm hopes will “modernise” the façade and create more accessibility.

Many of the “outdated” windows will also be replaced with new, double-glazed windows to “enhance the building’s energy efficiency” and remove some internal walls to open up the layout.

The document stated the property also suffers from “significant dampness” due to roof damage, so to address the existing “decay,” the interior will be stripped back to brick and fully restored.

The number of car parking spaces at the site will be increased from 13 to 32 to accommodate the cars for sale.

Yesterday (September 4), the application was granted permission by the council, with conditions.

When the plans were first submitted, one resident living in Hawley Road said they wanted to support the new owners after seeing the site “destroyed, robbed and left to rot in recent years”.

They added: “To see what has been done to the property so far is amazing. They have kept the original building and the site has been kept clean and tidy.”

Reacting to the latest news, ward councillor for Wilmington, Sutton-at-Hone and Hawley, Cllr George Holt (Con), said: “It's very upsetting to be losing our local pub here in Hawley.

“But the building has sat empty for over two years and is in a state of near disrepair.

“I hope the new owners are able to make it into a successful business and one that integrates well into the village of Hawley".

To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here.