A historic pub which stood for centuries has been reduced to a pile of rubble after bulldozers moved in.

The Sportsman, in Cliffsend outside Ramsgate, is thought to have dated as far back as 1750 - but the Sandwich Road site is now primed for seven homes, a new micropub and cycle cafe.

Photos show the remnants of the old building being torn down ahead of building work by east Kent developers Future Homes.

The former Shepherd Neame pub - last run by Teresa Kirk and Ronnie Mark - closed for the final time in 2017 and was subsequently sold off.

It was originally a halfway house for stagecoaches travelling between Ramsgate and Sandwich, while smugglers are believed to have used the cellar to bring in contraband from France.

The first bid was rejected in 2019, and the decision was upheld by the Planning Inspectorate following an appeal.

But having revised the proposals, developers were successful at the second time of asking, with Thanet District Council giving the go-ahead in February.

A host of objectors hit out at the scheme, warning of the impact on the nearby Pegwell nature reserve, and raising fears over the height of the apartment block and the resulting strain on community facilities.

Kent Police also raised concerns amid "significant concerns for the potential for crime", yet the council looked favourably on the designs.

Planning officers concluded it would give rise to employment during the construction phase and through the commercial use, and that the scheme would support shops and services and increase social interaction between residents.

Building work for the project is expected to be finished by July next year.

Four houses are to be built on the footprint of the old pub, while three apartments will be constructed in a separate three-storey block.

Last month, managing director of Future Homes, Martin Sturge, said: “We are a Thanet-based development company and our team has lived and worked in the area for over 40 years.

“We are really looking forward to getting to know our neighbours and becoming part of the Cliffsend community.”

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