Plans for a 65-bed care home, on the site of the illegally demolished Battle of Britain pub, are a step closer to becoming reality.

Gravesham council’s planning committee met last night and agreed the plans for the Northfleet site should be granted permission, subject to conditions, with approval delegated to the council’s planning manager.

The historic pub, created by RAF personnel in 1947, was knocked down without permission in 2016 by the previous owner, in what was called a ‘communication error’, angering residents.

A council order to cease work was ignored and the council had to order complete demolition when the property was deemed unsafe.

Plans for 20 homes on the site were subsequently approved, but the project never materialised and the land was sold, before new owners Frontier Estates put forward plans for a care home.

The three-storey home is set to provide nursing and residential care on site, and will include 27 car parking spaces, cycle storage, an activity room, four dining rooms, a private dining room, three lounges, a family room, seating area, a hair and beauty salon and staff rooms.

In their report, council officers recommended the project for approval subject to conditions.

The Battle of Britain pub was originally built by RAF personnel to commemorate Gravesend being the first RAF station to operate the American P-51 Mustang III fighter-bomber.