From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Molly Mileham-Chappell, 28 January 2019.

Romney Marsh: Plans to convert former Royal Mail pub in Lydd into three homes.

A former pub over 270-years-old could be turned into three homes, if planning permission is granted.

The Royal Mail, in Park Street in Lydd, was constructed in the 18th century as a coaching inn and had operated as a pub until it shut in April 2017.

Now, Chris Stace from Mont Calm Asset Management Ltd has applied to change the use of the building into three dwellings, including demolition of outbuildings and a small side extension.

Within the development, there would be two three-bedroom homes and one four-bedroom property.

In the design and access statement, agent William Hickman of Rubicon Building Consultancy Ltd, on behalf of the applicant, said it was not in a fit state to return to use as a pub.

The statement reads: “It is estimated that in order to bring the public house up to a standard where it can try to compete would require an investment of between £100,000 - £150,000 in addition to the initial purchase price.

“It is unlikely that anyone would be prepared to invest such sums of money in a pub that has struggled for many years to compete with other establishments in Lydd.”

It adds that the economic demand for the facility is no longer there in Lydd. Former owner Shepherd Neame decided to put the building up for sale after the brewery decided it was no longer viable "from a business point of view".

The building, which is unlisted but lies within the conservation area, would provide three private entrances to the homes.

Refuse storage would be available in each garden, with one parking space for each property at the rear with access alongside the new homes.

The proposal excludes the pub car park and beer garden because development for four more dwellings has already been approved for this area but has not yet been built.

The property went under the hammer with Clive Emson auctioneers with a freehold guide price of £180,000 to £200,000 in May 2017 but fetched £230,000 in the sale. There were fears at the time that the building would not reopen as a pub.

Among its previous landlords was former Lydd Mayor Tom Dawes, who ran the pub for four years until October 2015. In January 2016, the premises suffered a chimney fire but it was put out by firefighters within 40 minutes, using a thermal imaging camera to check for hot spots and fire spread.

The pub, built in 1746, featured a memorial to Spitfire pilot Bill Marshall in the lobby and had a £25,000 refurbishment in 2011. It’s closure was the third blow to the town’s night time economy in as many years, following the closure of the "Star Inn" and the "Bridge Inn."

From the https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Sean Axtell, 18 March 2019.

Bats could block plans to turn the Bridge Inn and Royal Mail pubs in Lydd into flats.

Developers are being driven batty by a protected species roosting in the rafters of former pubs earmarked for homes.

Bats, which have the highest level of protection, have been discovered in two dilapidated pubs in Lydd: the "Bridge Inn." and "Royal Mail."

It means developers' plans to transform the abandoned buildings into apartments have been met with fierce resistance by the district council.

Stephen Komolafe this week unveiled plans to transform the Bridge Inn, in Station Road, into three homes.

Also known as the Bridge Tavern, the bar is one of Romney Marsh’s 17 recorded lost pubs and closed in 2015, according to public records.

Folkestone and Hythe District Council officer Robert Allan has poured cold water on the proposals, arguing the site could still be used as a pub.

Mr Allan, who will recommend planning chiefs to throw out the plans, argued the proposed layout was shoddy and future residents would suffer “poor amenities” should building commence.

Mr Komolafe's plans, previously given the nod by Lydd Town Council, could also harm protected wildlife, Mr Allan’s report added.

It says: “Bat droppings were recorded within the loft space and that there are suitable features for roosting bats on all elevations of the building.

“There is a need for an emergency survey to be carried out to fully assess the presence of bats within the site.

“These surveys are required to fully assess how bats are utilising the building and to consider the impact that the proposed development will have on protected species when determining the planning application.

He added: “No details of proposed mitigation have been provided and it cannot be concluded measures are being taken to minimise the impact on protected species.”

Bats are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 because of their specific roosting requirements.

Disturbing the animal, or so much as obstructing a roost, is a criminal offence.

Indeed, Natural England must be told of proposed action likely to disturb the animals or their roosts.

Abba Holdings, ran by Karen Komolafe, prepared a design and access statement on behalf of Mr Komolafe, who lives in Dickleburgh, south Norfolk.

“The Inn was not a financial success and it was put on the market in 2015.

"It was marketed as a growing concern for more than three years but did not receive any interest.

“The applicant wishes to convert the inn into three dwellings,” it says.

The plans will go before Folkestone council’s planning committee on Tuesday.

Nature expert Owen Leyshon, from the Romney Marsh Countryside partnership said the abandoned pub is an ideal spot for the animals to breed.

“There are a number of bat species found on the marsh including the pipestrelle, long eared, daubenton and serotine bats.

“Grey crested newts, badgers and bats are heavily protected and give developers the headaches.

“In Lydd there is an amazing habitat around the town and to the back on farm land.

“Bats need to roost and prefer roosting in older buildings where they can be left safe and in peace.

"Many bats feed over the lake in Jury’s Gap and will travel from their roosting spots in the urban area."