Hi all,

I write this update with a very heavy heart; I’m afraid to say that Dover District Council have decided to APPROVE the change of use for the Saracens Head pub, allowing its conversion from a pub to a residential dwelling.

The proposed application went to committee last week. Prior to their meeting, I read the report from the head of planning, and my heart sank. It seemed like a foregone conclusion: they had recommended it for approval.

In the meeting, the planners were suitably convinced that, despite it being listed as an Asset of Community Value, the community of Deal would not be impacted by the loss of this pub. Furthermore, they stated the Middle Street Conservation Area would not be harmed by the conversion of a pub into a house. 

By their reasoning, all pubs in the town of Deal can close until there is only one remaining, and only then they will act to save it. 

Also, all pubs in the Conservation Area can close and be turned into empty houses, and the area’s heritage or character won’t be impacted. 

The developers have won, the community has lost, and, unfortunately, the precedent has been set.

More pubs in Deal will now be at risk of closure, and we must continue to fight to try and protect them.

All the best

Ian