Developers who wanted to rebuild a cherished country pub which burnt down after being struck by lightning say they’ve had to “abandon the dream” after costs “ballooned”.

Plans to restore The Green Man in Hodsoll Street in the same spot, albeit with a different design and room for B&B-style accommodation, were approved in April.

Alchemy Estates (Holywell) Limited, whose director is beef farmer and developer Mark Stoneham, who was brought up on his family farm in the Kent countryside, were behind the scheme.

However, seven months on, it has now been revealed that the owners of the site, between New Ash Green and Vigo, have told Sevenoaks council they intend to dispose of it.

Mark Stoneham told KentOnline he has been forced to give up on the redevelopment due to the increasing building and future running costs.

In a statement he added: “My family farmed the surrounding area and I was brought up in Hodsoll Street and enjoyed my first (probably illegal) pint at The Green Man.

”My family provided the land for the playground, and my grandfather led the fundraising for the Village Hall, so there is a tradition of the Stoneham family supporting the local community.

“My intention was to rebuild the pub and keep it as an investment by renting it to someone who would create a nice community pub.

“I have paid for a lovely design and obtained a planning consent after various studies for ecology and bats.

“Unfortunately, the build costs have inflated by 40% and have ballooned, and the operating costs of staff, national insurance, rates and compliance have also increased to a point at which the pub is commercially unviable.

“Pub rents have also reduced, so we are faced with a perfect storm.

“I tried to renegotiate the purchase cost with the owners to try and save the scheme, but unfortunately, I was not able to agree on revised terms, so I have been forced to abandon the dream at great personal and financial cost.”

Mr Stoneham, who had previously been involved in a high profile planning row which erupted over a barn conversion in the quiet hamlet, also addressed some of the noise around his involvement in the pub project.

“Sadly, I have faced a lot of criticism from some of the more vocal local residents rather than any praise or thanks,” he added.

“But at least I have paid for and obtained a planning consent for a delightful pub building that might come to fruition one day.”

The historic hostelry had sat in the quiet hamlet for more than 130 years and was described by villagers as the beating “heart of the community” before the blaze hit in the early hours of June 16, 2021.

Weeks later, Sevenoaks council’s building control department declared what remained of the timber structures unsafe and ordered the site to be flattened.

Since then, the former pub site has sat as a derelict eyesore, much to the frustration of the 7,000-strong community who had rallied to raise funds to save it and have it designated an asset of community value (ACV).

They came together to form the Green Man Recovery group, which has since revealed it will be submitting a bid to purchase the land.

Speaking on behalf of the group, Sally Samuels, said: “The Green Man has always been at the heart of our community.

“We know how much its loss has been felt, and this is our chance to bring it back, together. We want to give everyone the opportunity to be part of rebuilding something truly special for our village’s future.

“We remain committed to ensuring The Green Man is not just rebuilt, but reborn as a thriving community asset for generations to come.”

Anyone interested in supporting the bid or getting involved is asked to contact Sally at greenmanrecoverygroup@gmail.com.

A spokesman for Sevenoaks council has confirmed it has already received an intention to bid for The Green Man, and the owners of the pub have been notified.

This means that the sale cannot proceed until the six-month moratorium period ends on March 24.

During that time, the owners can choose to sell to the community group, but are under no obligation to do so.

However, they cannot sell the property on the open market until after the six months have elapsed.

At the time of the pub blaze in summer 2021, residents were left shocked and devastated, with some describing it as “horrific” and like losing an “old friend”.

Former landlord Alex Brooks, who had struggled like many hospitality venues through Brexit and the pandemic to get the pub up and running, previously spoke of how he had “lost everything” in the blaze.

He said the boozer was a focal part of village life, adding a lot of his regulars “were at a loss as to where to go”.

In April 2022, nearly 100 people gathered outside the site to show their support for rebuilding the pub and guarding against any unwanted future development.