Permission has been granted to convert the former Wheatsheaf pub at St Lawrence into flats.
The pub, which already has a 3-bedroom flat upstairs, has been shut since prior to 2020. The granted application is to turn the site into three flats, with one 4-bed and two 2-bed properties.
Last year a proposal to convert the building into one flat, a 4-bed house of multiple occupation (HMO) and a 5 bed HMO was refused by Thanet council.
The High Street pub had been put up for sale in 2018 but no buyer was found. It had been run by the owners as a family pub for 18 years before a decision to sell had to be made.
Applicant Estia Property Solutions Ltd wanted to convert the property to two Houses of Multiple Occupation and a one-bedroom flat. In December 2022 it lodged a new application for conversion to 3 self-contained flats.
In the previous application Estia said the Wheatsheaf: “was deemed unviable to continue as a public house for the minimum of the past two years and was put to sale since with no success of being purchased to the moment.
“The aim is to provide more accommodation in the area with professionals and key-workers as the target audience.”
Ten objections were received against the original application with concerns such as the pub only being marketed during the pandemic and overdevelopment.
Thanet CAMRA lodged an objection to the amended plans highlighting the view that there was “no indication that the site is finished as a public house” and “the building is a good example of a brewers Tudor style of pub built around 1900 and only 2 other examples still operate in Ramsgate.”
Thanet CAMRA added: “Trying to prevent the unnecessary loss of historic community pubs is, or should be, a high consideration of Thanet council’s planning policies.”
One letter of support was also received saying they could: “see why, after reviewing the submitted turnover and profit details, they have cease trading,” and “Three flats is a better solution than the HMOs proposed under the previous application.”
Thanet planning officers said: “Whilst the application would see the loss of a community facility it is considered that there are a number of other public houses and community facilities in the local area not to undermine the ability of the community to meet its day to day needs. The development would also contribute to the housing supply within the district, whilst providing the re-use of a non-designated heritage asset.”
The exterior of the building will undergo minimal change.
Last October emergency services were called to the property and had to shut the road due to debris falling from the building.
The permission notice was issued today (May 10).
