Plans have been revealed to convert a neighbourhood’s last remaining pub into a massive HMO, sparking fears “another bit of history” will be lost.

The Dewdrop Inn in Tower Hamlets, Dover, shut earlier this year in what has been described as a “desperately sad” decline of community boozers.

According to planning documents submitted this montt, the building’s use as a pub “ceased…after facing several years of challenging viability issues”.

The large property was functioning as a tavern as early as the 1880s, but is now set to be converted into a 14-bedroom HMO.

“Eleven of the rooms would have private en-suite WC and shower facilities,” according to documents submitted by MJ Real Estates Ltd.

“The front façade and fenestration arrangement would all remain as existing, retaining the Public House name, general appearance and signage,” they add.

They argue the scheme to convert the inn into a home “makes efficient use of a vacant site,” as it is surrounded by other homes.

However, local historian and pub guru Rory Kehoe thinks the tavern’s shuttering is an unfortunate sign of the times.

He said: “I remember it as being a very well supported community local.

“All the other pubs in Tower Hamlets in that area have long since shut.”

The King Edward VII, the Havelock Arms, the White Lion, the Imperial Crown, the Tower Inn and the Carrier’s Arms have all folded over the last few decades, Mr Kehoe says.

“That’s half a dozen pubs all within five minutes walk, all of which have shut,” he continued.

“Where are the good people of Tower Hamlets to go for their reasonable refreshments?

“The answer is probably the shop that’s occupying the site of the King Edward VII and they’ll pick up a six pack and sit in front of the telly, which is hardly a very social thing to do.”

Mr Kehoe argues that neighbourhood venues such as the Dewdrop have a particularly rough time staying in business.

“You’re seeing a lot of community pubs shut down, many of those are wet-led,” he said, adding it can be difficult to stay afloat “unless you’re prepared to put in a kitchen, do food, provide accommodation”.

“Everybody wants a slice out of the pub pie – the tax man, council tax.

“Everybody wants a bit of money out of the pub and pub overheads have shot through the roof over the past 18 months.

“It’s astronomical the cost of running a big pub and for some the maths don’t work.

“I think it’s desperately sad these pubs are going because the pub is the hub – it is the beating heart of any community.”

June Murphy, who was born and raised in Tower Hamlets and lives opposite the tavern, said: “It’s just another bit of Tower Hamlets history gone.

“We used to walk past it and say do you want a dewdrop in the Dewdrop Inn.

“I’m 78 and it was always there when I was a kid.

“I’m not a drinker but I used to go in there just for the company because pubs were brilliant – they used to have pianos in the pub and sing songs.”

She was however pleased that under the plans the front of the building itself won’t change.

“To Tower Hamlets people it will always be the Dewdrop.”

It is not yet known when Dover District Council will decide on the bid, but an internal decision deadline of January 10 has been set.

No public comments have been made on the plans.