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Britain's oldest brewery has reaffirmed its commitment to open a pub at the nation's newest garden city following pandemic-related delays.
Shepherd Neame had hoped The Chalk Yard would already be up and running in Ebbsfleet between Dartford and Gravesend by now.
Permission was granted by Ebbsfleet Development Corporation in December 2019 with planning officers calling it a landmark building at the "very heart" of the new homes development.
Construction had been due to start at the pub in Spring of last year with works completed in time for this Summer just gone.
But so far the project, which doubles up as a boutique hotel, has suffered numerous delays amid the ongoing impact of the pandemic.
However, Shepherd Neame, one of Britain’s oldest brewers based in Faversham, has since reaffirmed its commitment to Ebbsfleet Garden City in the face of growing uncertainty.
It says it still wants to set up a stylish pub and hotel in the Castle Hill section and hopes to "break ground" over the next year.
Shepherd Neame’s property and services director George Barnes said: “We can confirm that we remain committed to developing the site in Castle Hill as part of our ongoing programme of investment in Shepherd Neame’s pub and hotel estate.
“The Chalk Yard will be a stylish pub with rooms at the heart of the Ebbsfleet Garden City development.
"The impact of the pandemic has resulted in delays to the project, but we hope to break ground in the next 12 months.”
The pub and hotel will be called The Chalk Yard, a name based on the area’s mining history and the unique landscape it left behind.
As part of the approved scheme it will provide bar and restaurant facilities catering for 150, together with flexible function space, external terraced seating and a garden.
Above accommodation will consist of staff apartment space, as well as 17 boutique hotel rooms.
Outside the complex, car parking will be provided and electric charging points.
Once built the Chalk Yard will be the the garden city's second such establishment after Marston's Spring River opened in Ebbsfleet Valley in 2017.
It will be based on the eastern quarry, where thousands of homes have already been built, alongside a new primary school, a community centre, Co-op, pharmacy and estate agents.
By the time it is finished in 2035 the entire garden city will encompass 15,000 homes built on the site off the A2.
