Despite strong opposition in the community, planning officers have supported turning a historic pub in Ash into a housing development.

The planning committee was due to meet tonight (Thursday) and discuss the application to turn the Chequer Inn in Chequer Lane into a four-bedroom house, however this has now been deferred to give the committee longer to consider the plans.

Dover District Council’s planning officer, Vic Hester, has already submitted his support for the application and recommended it be granted, along with listed building consent.

In his report, Mr Hester says Ash is capable of accommodating extra housing.

He also states that the heritage and design officer raised no objections and neither did the parish council.

However, campaigners of Save the Chequer Inn have been fighting hard to block the application. They have gained support from celebrities such as Great British Bake-Off’s Paul Hollywood and Doctor Foster’s Neil Stuke.

Mr Hester says: “Whilst the proposed loss of the public house is regrettable, the village would still be served by a public house (the Volunteer).

“We have quite a bit of persuading now to do to turn this around. If granted there will be no going back." - Mr Titterton

“The issue is therefore whether the proposed loss of The Chequers as a pub would seriously diminish the range of facilities in Ash and thereby harm the economic and social viability of the community. Seen against the range of facilities that would remain it is not considered that the proposal would result in harm.”

The pub has been on the market for three years but campaigners say it is commercially viable and would be a success.

Matthew Titterton, of The Street, Ash, who has been leading the campaign, called the group together on Monday at St Nicholas’ Church.

He said: “We have quite a bit of persuading now to do to turn this around. If granted there will be no going back. However, we have been speaking to more experts in the field, and we have been told it can be done.”

The campaign has also had support from Ash resident and Liberal Democrat spokesman for east Kent, Russ Timpson, who suggested establishing a fighting fund to cover legal fees.

Campaigners had planned to make a stand at the council offices in Whitfield tonight but are now waiting to see when this will be put back on the council's agenda.