An appeal has been lodged against the decision to refuse permission to turn the derelict George and Dragon pub in Swanscombe into a pizza takeaway. The appeal will be reviewed by planning inspectors for the second time.
The George and Dragon, a historic Victorian coaching inn that has stood at the corner of London Road and Swanscombe High Street since 1891, closed its doors in August 2019. Owners Bob and Bron Veal, who had successfully revitalized the pub after purchasing it nearly a decade earlier, decided to retire and shut down the business.
In 2020, Zaan Ltd., which operates a Domino’s Pizza franchise in Gillingham, submitted an application to repurpose the pub into a takeaway. However, the Ebbsfleet Development Corporation (EDC) rejected the proposal. An appeal against this decision was subsequently dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.
In March 2024, Zaan Ltd. resubmitted revised plans. These new proposals aimed to open a takeaway from 10:30 am to midnight, with limited seating at the front of the store and eight parking spaces at the back of the building. The plans also highlighted interest from potential tenants, including a church, a gymnastics centre, a lounge bar, and a shisha bar, who expressed interest in leasing the property.
Despite these revisions, the EDC again refused the application in August, stating that the proposal would result in the “loss of a community facility for non-community purposes.” The refusal letter also noted that the applicant had not provided sufficient evidence to demonstrate that they had fully explored opportunities to retain the space for community use.
Following the second refusal, Zaan Ltd. appealed once again to the Secretary of State for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government through the Planning Inspectorate.
While the original plans were for a Domino’s franchise, it is unclear whether this is still part of the new proposal.
The revised plans have faced significant opposition from local residents. One resident expressed concerns about the impact on traffic, citing the ongoing closure of Galley Hill Road and the strain it has placed on Swanscombe’s roads. Another resident questioned the need for additional takeaway businesses, saying, “How many takeaways does Swanscombe need? This will only add to the traffic problem.”
Other objections focused on the lack of parking and the potential hazard posed by delivery lorries blocking the street corner. One neighbour remarked, “We do not need another fast food premises here,” while another added, “This is the third time I have objected to this and I know many people in the area feel the same. We do not and never want a pizza place.”
The George and Dragon building has remained vacant for five years and is located near the site of the Galley Hill Road cliff collapse in April 2023. The closure of Galley Hill Road, which connects the High Street to Ebbsfleet Football Club’s Kufflink Stadium, has forced traffic onto residential streets, further intensifying concerns about congestion in the area.
The Planning Inspectorate will now review the appeal and make a final decision regarding the future of the George and Dragon site.
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