Additional reporting by Daniel Esson

A long-vacant pub should be reopened rather than turned into flats, say villagers.

The Fox and Goose on the A2 in Bapchild, near Sittingbourne, closed more than three years ago after its landlady stepped away.

Rebecca Barker, who had run the watering hole for eight years, left after the death of her father in 2022.

She also told KentOnline the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis had impacted trade and the pub was sold in 2023.

There was speculation the building, which has been a pub in some form since 1670, could be turned into a Sainsbury’s Local.

But now proposals have been submitted to convert it into eight apartments and 400 sq m of commercial space, with the addition of two extensions.

A two-storey extension on the side is planned, along with a two-and-a-half-storey extension at the back.

GS Projects, which is behind the scheme, says the pub is “currently disused and in poor condition, requiring significant refurbishment and modernisation”.

The applicant says it will “modestly contribute to the borough’s housing shortfall” if the scheme is approved by Swale council.

But residents have told KentOnline they would rather see a pub return, pointing to the number of homes that have been built at the new Spring Acres estate in Bapchild.

Hyde Homes and builder Chartway Group have already built more than 360 homes, with another 270 expected to be constructed by 2027.

Mum-of-three Rosie Hayes, who has lived in The Street for 19 years, says she would “love for the pub to come back”.

The 53-year-old retail worker said: “I do not want any more houses and I would love for there to be somewhere in the village where we could all go together.

“We have the village hall but that’s not the same. I would just love to go there on a Sunday and have a Sunday lunch there.

“We have lost the farm shop [as well]. That was a huge loss, as during Covid it was a saviour.

“There are concerns about what that land is going to be.”

Jay Marshall, 71, who has lived in the village for seven years, says while he used the pub only a few times, he would welcome it back.

The former owner of Mobile Motorcycles in Maidstone said: “I would be the first to go in there to celebrate it coming back.

“I used it a few times when it was open. It was not a great pub.

“The problem is it's depressed, and if someone were to take it on, they would need some serious funds.”

Former printer, Tim Bell, says people would start using a pub if it were to return.

The 74-year-old grandad-of-two, who has lived in the village for 40 years, said: “People in the village used to go in there and I was surprised when it closed.

“I would use it at least once a week as I now have the time, and I know a few people would start using it.”

Mum-of-two, Hatty, who did not want to give her second name, who has lived in Fox Hill for two years says she would back the pub if it came back.

The 31-year-old said: “We did not get to use it as it was shut before we moved.

“But it would be nice to have a pub which we could walk to that did food. There’s nothing within walking distance.

“I know I am someone with a home but we don’t need more flats, they are constantly building over in the new estate.”

• To see more planning applications and other public notices for your area, click here.

It is not yet known when Swale council will decide on the application but a target deadline of December 17 has been set.