A village pub which closed its doors for good last year could have its ground floor converted into a flat.

An application to convert the downstairs of The Little Black Dog in The Street, Great Chart, near Ashford, into a two-bedroom home has been submitted to the borough council.

The red-brick building is not listed but it is in the Great Chart conservation area.

Previously known as The Hoodener's Horse, developers say the lower portion of the pub could be easily converted into a flat with minimal building work.

"The application submitted is for the change of use of the ground floor of the existing building from a former public house to a single self contained flat on the ground floor only," the planning statement in support of the proposal, submitted by a Mr Wood, says.

"The existing layout provides a perfect layout for conversion requiring minimal works of lightweight stud partitions. The proposed conversion on the ground floor will create a two bedroom self contained flat."

Some villagers have expressed their objections to the change of use from pub to home.

'There is no adverse effect on the existing building'

One said: "Too many pubs are being lost forever. This should be reopened as a pub not converted into residential."

If the plans are approved then the existing single-glazed windows will be replaced with double-glazing in the same style, to ensure the appearance of the building remains unchanged.

There had previously been plans to convert the whole building into a three-bedroom semi-detached house.

"The application seeks to offer village centre residential accommodation by converting the ground floor of this vacant building to self contained flat," the planning statement concludes.

"There is no adverse effect on the existing building in terms of appearance and the proposed works to facilitate the conversion are very minimal."