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The Lighthouse Inn in Capel-le-Ferne could become care home and microbar

A clifftop pub from the Victorian era could be turned into a care home and microbar under new plans.

A bid has been submitted to transform The Lighthouse Inn in Capel-le-Ferne, which has been closed for six years.

The Lighthouse Inn as it is today in Old Dover Road, Capel-le-Ferne
The Lighthouse Inn as it is today in Old Dover Road, Capel-le-Ferne

The scheme is described as a partial change of use and conversion to a care home, which will feature 39 rooms across three storeys.

If approved, the microbar will be attached to the home on the ground floor, and will include an outside seating area.

Faseha Property Limited has asked Dover District Council (DDC) for permission for the change after the site was sold at auction last year for almost £800,000.

The planning application was submitted earlier this month, and has already sparked a mixed response among neighbours.

Resident Linda Bowden said on the council planning portal: “The village has little housing for older villagers to downsize.

Plans show how The Lighthouse Inn site at Capel-le-Ferne could look. Picture: LT Drawing Services Ltd
Plans show how The Lighthouse Inn site at Capel-le-Ferne could look. Picture: LT Drawing Services Ltd
The site sold at auction with Clive Emson for £797,000 last year. Picture: Clive Emson
The site sold at auction with Clive Emson for £797,000 last year. Picture: Clive Emson

“I think a better plan suited to the needs of the village would be sheltered accommodation.”

But Mike Chown, manager of the nearby White Cliffs Park holiday park for the over-50s, said the site would be “ideal for a care home”.

“It's a lovely building and has a lovely sea view,” he said.

“And a care home is hardly going to cause any problems locally, not like a nightclub.”

Del Amin, manager of the Food Market store in New Dover Road, agreed with Mr Chown, saying the home is a “good idea”.

The exact location of The Lighthouse Inn at Capel-le-Ferne
The exact location of The Lighthouse Inn at Capel-le-Ferne
This photo from 2023 shows how a wall has collapsed into a garden at The Lighthouse Inn
This photo from 2023 shows how a wall has collapsed into a garden at The Lighthouse Inn
How part of the site looked last year. Picture: Clive Emson
How part of the site looked last year. Picture: Clive Emson

“It would be better than turning the site into more housing because that would contribute to overcrowding the area,” he said.

“There has already been housing development here lately.”

The opening hours of the microbar are currently unclear, but it is due to be called The Lighthouse microbar.

The existing site, in Old Dover Road, enjoys clear views of the sea and France and was built in two parts in 1840.

These were the Vineyard Lodge, which was used as a wine and ale house, and Capel Lodge where travellers would rest during their journey.

The Lighthouse Inn shut in 2019
The Lighthouse Inn shut in 2019
Inside The Lighthouse Inn last year. Picture: Clive Emson
Inside The Lighthouse Inn last year. Picture: Clive Emson

Over the years, it had various names and was run as a home for psychiatric patients, a convalescing home and a country club.

At one stage it was a venue for singing festivals and the locals said the sound of opera would waft across the Channel.

It had hotel rooms and was used by some of the workers involved in the building of the Channel Tunnel between 1987 and 1994.

But in February 1998, it was refurbished and opened under the new name of The Lighthouse Inn.

In July 2019 the pub, which had hotel rooms, closed for good following a reported dispute with the landlord.

It has never been opened since and has fallen into disrepair in the following years.

Sea views from the site of The Lighthouse Inn at Capel-le-Ferne. Picture: Clive Emson
Sea views from the site of The Lighthouse Inn at Capel-le-Ferne. Picture: Clive Emson

In 2023, villagers complained it had become an “eyesore” and demanded it be returned to its former glory as a community asset.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

It was put up for auction by Clive Emson in March last year.

A decision on the application will be made by planning officers at DDC.

KentOnline has contacted the applicant’s agents for more details about the care home and microbar scheme.

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