A derelict pub considered one of Kent’s ugliest landmarks will stay standing despite proposals for a major building project at the site.

The eyesore Share and Coulter in Herne Bay has been left to rack and ruin, attracting vandals who stripped it to the bone, covered it in graffiti and set it on fire.

In 2015 the Owls Hatch Road tavern became abandoned when mould and rats forced outgoing landlord Trevor Robinson to leave.

Less than two years on, what was once the heart of the community had transformed into a makeshift tip and occasional travellers camp.

It has long been hoped the former boozer, built in 1841, would be restored to its former glory.

But fresh proposals reveal plans to build 12 batteries almost as high as a double-decker bus nearby instead and leave the crumbling property to rot.

Root Power (South), a subsidiary of YLEM Energy, wants to build the three-and-a-half metre tall Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) on what was the pub football team’s pitch.

Greenhill councillor Dan Watkins (Con) welcomed the move on the basis the development would prevent the land from becoming a housing estate.

The firm says such systems are “key to unlocking the full potential of intermittent renewable energy”.

It operates by taking electricity from the National Grid at times of low demand, storing it in batteries, and releasing it back to the grid when demand is high.

Root Power says it could power 64,000 homes in the district for two hours across peak times – 6.30am to 9am and 5pm to 7pm.

The proposed storage is just metres away from the Herne Bay substation and neighbours a series of solar farms, while it b would be connected to a nearby pylon.

If approved, construction could take up to 14 months but, once fully operational, would require just one visit a month to maintain.

It would also be able to store 500,000 litres of water thanks to on-site tanks which would be used in case of fire.

Fencing will be erected to prevent trespassers from accessing the site.

Once its lifespan of about 40 years is over, the system would be deconstructed and the area returned to its previous state – in this case, grassland.

However, it says the Share and Coulter building is not within its ownership or control – meaning it cannot be saved by them.

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Cllr Watkins spoke in support of the plans while noting its potential new use would not stop someone from salvaging the derelict pub.

“To be honest, Greenhill and Herne Bay have got so much housing going in at the moment, frankly by putting the batteries there, it means it won't become housing,” he said.

“The new Secretary of State [Angela Rayner] is very clear that she wants more and more housing estates to be put up in green areas like ours.

“If you put a battery farm there, it's actually going to reduce the likelihood of having housing there and I think that's much more acceptable to locals.

“We need to make the transition to renewable energy. This battery solution will help with that and help keep energy bills lower.”

The owner of the pub has been contacted for comment.