The site of a fire-ravaged country pub which burnt down after being struck by lightning has been listed for sale.

A devastating blaze ripped through the Green Man in Hodsoll Street last summer reducing much of the bricks and mortar to dust.

It had overlooked the green in the quiet hamlet between New Ash Green and Vigo for more than 130 years and was described by villagers as the beating heart of the community.

At the height of the blaze in the early hours of June 16, five fire engines fought the flames and water was drained and pumped from a nearby swimming pool to assist. The building had to be demolished a few weeks later.

In the aftermath, the 7,000-strong community rallied together to raise thousands of pounds for it and devastated landlord Alex Brooks, who ran the pub for more than four years with wife Steph and had pledged to rebuild the popular boozer "as soon as possible".

But a tricky post-pandemic pub landscape and the upcoming expiry of the lease meant this was no longer feasible.

The Stonegate Group then declared its intention to dispose of the site, prompting fears among residents it could be sold off for housing.

Following a local-led campaign, Ash-cum-Ridley Parish Council registered it as an asset of community value (ACV) at the end of last year.

The site has since been fully cleared and has now been listed for sale as a potential residential development, subject to planning permission.

According to the listing by property specialists Drake & Company it has been instructed to invite "unconditional offers" for the benefit of its "client’s freehold interest with vacant possession".

Meanwhile, the Green Man Recovery Group, which was set up by residents to save the site, is exploring its options.

Local resident Sally Samuels, who helped set up the group, said: "We are in the process of putting together a community bid. We're not there yet but working our way towards it."

She has spoken previously of the campaign's struggles to engage with the owners, The Stonegate Pub company, and says approaches have so far been "stonewalled".

However, there are recent blueprints for pubs designated as ACVs being saved.

Nearby, The Plough Inn in Trottiscliffe was rescued from property developers in 2020 after it was marked as a community asset and villagers dipped into their own coffers to save it.

Hodsoll Street has one of the largest concentrations of Grade II period properties in the Sevenoaks district.

But The Green Man does not hold such status and unlike The Plough Inn, an existing building is not already in place to work with.

At the time of the blaze last summer, residents were left shocked and devastated with some describing it as "horrific" and like losing an "old friend".

Former landlord Alex Brooks said it was a focal part of village life, adding a lot of his regulars "were at a loss as to where to go".

Neighbours speak of their devastation at the fire

In April, nearly 100 people gathered outside the site to show their support for rebuilding the pub and guarding against any unwanted future development.

Dartford MP Gareth Johnson has also expressed his preference for the pub to be rebuilt but expressed doubts.

"It would be wonderful if we could achieve that but it will be difficult," the Tory said in reference to the long-term trend of permanent pub closures.

Mr Johnson hoped a deal could be struck so that some form of community asset could be built in its place.

Elsewhere, another of the Dartford's historic pubs has recently closed with no immediate plans to re-open.

The Welsh Tavern in London Road, Stone, has been around since 1827 with the current building erected around the 1870s on what was a former toll road.

It is another of Stonegate's pubs where a decision was taken not to renew the lease and the keys handed back to the owners.

A closing date for offers on The Green Man site has been listed as September 21. Click here for more details.

The Stonegate group was approached for comment.