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Shear's Green
Coldharbour Road
Northfleet
https://whatpub.com/battle-of-britain
Above photo showing the old "Battle of Britain" demolished in 1962.
Above photo kindly supplied by John Hopperton. |
Above photo, circa 2010. Kindly supplied by John Hopperton. |
 
Above signs, July 2015. |
Above photo showing inside of bar. Taken from their web in 2016. |
Above photo showing inside of bar. Taken from their web in 2016. |
Above photo showing inside of bar. Taken from their web in 2016. |
Above photo, October 2016 by Ian Goodrick. |
Local news (29 September 2016) suggests that the pub is about to close
and the last day will be 2nd October 2016.
Demolition has started, October 2016. |
Strewth, they were quick off the mark with this one. They just couldn't
wait to get the building demolished and didn't even wait for the necessary
permission before they got started.
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From
http://www.kentonline.co.uk, by Lizzie Massey, 12 October 2016.
Council step in after people were shocked when a pub started being
demolished without authorisation.
People were left shocked when bulldozers rolled up to a loved community
pub and began an unauthorised demolition.
The Battle of Britain pub in Coldharbour Road, Gravesend, has a pending
planning application for flats to be built on the premises, but that is
yet to be considered and decided on by Gravesham council.
But bulldozers turned up to the site today and workers began destroying
it.
The Battle of Britain pub is demolished.
Concerned neighbours alerted the council and an officer visited the site
to halt the action.
A council spokesman said: "A planning application has been put in for
flats, as has an application notice to demolish, but has neither of
these things have been determined.
"An officer has been to the site and further investigations into the
safety of the building are underway. The report from that will clarify
what can now be done."
Diggers at the site
Angela Hall, 41, of Packham Road, said: “The building is a part of
history as well as being a meeting place for many locals and families,
popular for its large garden and children's play area, restaurant, live
music and its support of the Ellenor Hospice who hold their fundraising
events here.
Demolition on the pub started without permission.
The unauthorised demolition at the pub.
"I'm shocked by this news and disgusted with Brakespear brewery!”
She has always lived in Gravesend but has been living in the Coldharbour
area for the past 18 years.
She used to go there with her children, who are now grown up, and her
dog. She particularly enjoyed the Rock and Roll themed evenings.
The Battle of Britain pub in Gravesend before demolition began.
She said: “Everyone would come, it really was a community pub and had a
nice feel about it especially as it had a children’s play area out the
back.”
“It was a family place and there is nowhere else around here like it,
it’s a real shame and a shame it’s lost the community feel.”
Despite people's love for the pub, the building is not listed, is not in
a conservation area, and no request to list is as a community asset has
been received by the council.
The pub's manager Phil Davies and Brakspear Brewery have been contacted
for a comment.
13/10/2016 08:49:17.
Jason Parker wrote:
Make them rebuild it. Another council made the developer rebuild brick
by brick. See here
CLICK.
13/10/2016 02:14:25.
irwin wrote:
Yet, make a small change to your own property, an inch or to 'over' what
the Council dictates and they will be on you like a ton of bricks.
12/10/2016 23:56:29.
Bill wrote:
The application to demolish has only just been submitted to GBC nothing
agreed. Demolition has commenced without permission.
I notice from the application submitted there is a document which states
a report must be produced before demolition with regards to asbestos and
other hazardous materials which if found will have to be dealt with by
specialist contractors.
It is Highly doubtful, due to the rush to demolish that there would have
been enough time to carry out these searches or to produce the report, a
major concern given the close proximity of Shears Green School there may
have been a serious HSE breach requires investigation.
12/10/2016 20:21:48.
Rowmarsh wrote:
Gravesham Borough Council Planners will now accept the fate of what has
happened and do a Section 106 deal with the developer (a sweetener of
money towards the community which we won't benefit from) and once again
the big cats get what they want. Bet the design and look of the flats is
appalling and cheap? If you want to see what appalling applications are
approved go and have a good look at what we locally call 'The Shed' that
is being built in Sharland Road off Whitehill Road. No parking along
Sharland Road and the building in question has been squeezed onto the
side of a garden, with no windows for natural light, no proper garden
and no parking. And as for the aesthetics of the building? It has been
clad with gloss panelled boarding fixed with studs. It looks like a
temporary site hut. That is want Gravesham Borough Council imposes and
approved without looking at the consequences for established residents
in a 1920's road. Yet we have a council that has got into bed with
Edinburgh Property who are developing the Heritage Quarter. Another
major development that is dead in the water, no direction from the Chief
Executive and Leader, and a very unpopular town centre redevelopment
that will do nothing to make the town attractive and prosperous. So lets
wait and see what Gravesham BC does with the flouting of the planning
laws at the Battle of Britain and lets watch them drag yet another
decision out.
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From
http://www.kentonline.co.uk, by Lizzie Massey, 13 October 2016.
Council 'forced to allow' more demolition to half-standing Battle of
Britain pub which was torn down illegally.
A council has been forced to allow more demolition to an already
half-standing pub which was torn down illegally - and after false
promises.
People were furious when bulldozers rolled up to the loved and historic
community "Battle of Britain" pub and began an unauthorised demolition
earlier this week.
Neighbours reported the machines turning up to Coldharbour Road,
Northfleet, under the cover of night to start the work, undetected by
council officers.
Putnam Construction Services, contracted to carry out the work, were
forced to stop as soon as the council got wind of the work, but then
continued to illegally demolish the site yet again once the council
officer's had left.
Now there is so much gone, it has been deemed dangerous by Gravesham
council and more needs to be knocked down to make it safe.
Developers Caldecotte Group applied to the council on October 5 to
request a determination as to whether permission was needed prior to
demolition of the building.
That application has not been decided and on October 7 the developer
confirmed in writing that “demolition will not begin until the prior
approval application is determined”.
A spokesman for the council said: "Planning officers were astonished
when they visited the site on October 12, because demolition had begun.
"The site foreman said one wall had been rendered unsafe and would have
to be removed but agreed to stop work until a further building control
visit later that day.
"Officers returned and were shocked that much more of the building had
been knocked down.
"A structural expert examined the building later that afternoon and
reported that a large section of it had been rendered dangerous and now
needed to be demolished.
"The council is seeking an explanation from the developer."
Putnam Construction services were contracted to conduct the demolition.
In April 2012 an application to build a pair of semi detached houses on
the site was approved but that permission has now lapsed. There are no
other planning applications pending there.
Putnam Construction Services, contracted to carry out the work, have
declined to comment.
As has the Brakspear Brewery owned by the applicant for the
demolition J. T Davies & Sons.
Paul Sturgess of the Caldecotte Group and the pub's manager Phil Davies
have been contacted for a comment.
Demolition on the pub started without permission.
The "Battle of Britain" pub was originally a wooden hut which stood behind
the current building’s location. It was created by RAF personnel in
1947.
It was built to commemorate a wartime event, when Gravesend was the
first RAF station to operate the American P-51 Mustang III long-range
single-seat fighter-bomber.
In 1961, the owners of the pub purchased Shears Green House, which
became the current "Battle of Britain" pub. The old hut was demolished in
May 1962.
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Above photo by Ian Goodrick, showing all that's left of the pub, taken
14th October, 2016. |
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From the
http://www.kentonline.co.uk 25 October 2016 by Lizzie Massey
Council refuses demolition application of the battle of Britain pub,
Northfleet, despite it already being torn down.
An application for the proposed demolition of a pub has today been
refused - despite the fact it has already been torn down.
What was once a much-loved family pub, the Battle of Britain in
Coldharbour Road, Northfleet, is now just a hole in the ground.
Above picture of an aerial shot of the site where the Battle of Britain stood. Picture: Charly Croker.
More than 50 people stood outside the flattened remains last week in
protest at it being illegally bulldozed in the dead of night.
Developer Caldecotte Group applied to the council on October 5 to ask
whether permission was needed for demolition.
That application had not been decided by the council, but on October 11
the developer started to tear it down illegally without the council’s
knowledge.
Today, Gravesham council reviewed and refused the application.
The authority said actions by the developer had fallen outside of the
The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England)
Order 2015 on three counts, so approval cannot be retrospectively
validated.
The developer's site notice must be displayed for 21 days prior to the
demolition works commencing, which it was not.
There is a 56 day period between the developer writing to confirm
whether the building has been nominated as an Assets of Community Value,
which had not been reached.
The developer had not provided a written justification as to why
demolition was urgent and necessary in the interests of safety or
health, which is a requirement too.
Given the unlawful actions, the operation enforcement action is being
considered by the council.
A spokesman said: “Gravesham Borough Council is considering the
expediency of further action and is seeking legal advice on this
matter.”
Cllr Bronwen McGarrity, for Coldharbour ward, was among the 50 people
furious with the demolition, and that council officers’ demands that the
developers to stop mid way through the destruction were ignored.
Cllr McGarrity said: “It’s the way these developers have gone about all
this which has angered people.
“From what I understand, at the end of the month a different developer
will be involved, and the demolition company was also externally
contracted. All these changes makes it very hard to pin anybody down.”
Demonstrators outside the site of the former Battle of Britain pub,
Coldharbour Road, Northfleet.
There is a chance to list the pub as a community asset, but it would
mean a person or community group buying the land.
Cllr McGarrity said: “This site is a quarter of an acre. People just
don’t have the money to buy it up.
“We know these workers have not taken proper safety measures and that is
a huge concern. There was not time for any asbestos checks, and there is
a school right next door.”
The Health and Safety Executive has been contacted for a comment, but no
reply has been received.
Putnam Construction Services, contracted to carry out the work, has
declined to comment.
As has the Brakspear Brewery owned by the applicant for the demolition
J. T Davies & Sons, Paul Sturgess of the Caldecotte Group and the pub’s
most recent manager Phil Davies.
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From the
http://www.kentonline.co.uk 18 November 2016, by Lizzie Massey.
Boost in bid to have Battle of Britain rebuilt to original state after
community asset bid.
Developers may be forced to rebuild a popular pub as an application
has gone in to turn it into a community asset.
The Battle of Britain in Coldharbour Road, Northfleet, was pulled down
under the cover of darkness last month prompting local people to insist
it be rebuilt “brick by brick”.
They hope that listing it as a community asset could mean developers are
forced to reconstruct it to the original specification and then offer it
for sale as a pub, rather than flats or houses.
The Battle of Britain pub in Gravesend before demolition began.
Camra, the Campaign for Real Ale, an independent body which campaigns
for community pubs and consumer rights has previously fought for The
"Crown and Thistle" pub in The Terrace, Gravesend, to be listed and now it
has applied to Gravesham council for the Battle of Britain to be listed
too.
Peter Cook, the treasurer of the Gravesend and Darenth branch, said:
“The owners of the Battle have done wrong by knocking it down. If they
are allowed to get away with that, what is the point in any of these
planning laws?
“If the council cracks down they could be forced to rebuild it, and we
think they should. It can be done, it’s happening at the moment with
pubs in London.”
Residents, including a campaigner for the pub, Tina Brooker, and local
councillor Bronwen McGarrity, have said for some time that the former
landlord of the pub was obstructed by the owner in improvements to the
pub and left and since then the new management has run it down with a
sale in mind.
Mr Cook said: “Of course you can’t expect people to run an unviable
business, but in this case it seems the developer knew it would be
bought up as a pub.
“But housing on the same plot of land sells for much more than a pub
ever would.”
If the application is accepted and the pub rebuilt, the owner would need
to offer the Battle for sale as a pub initially.
Camra are confident somebody would buy it, but if not it would only be
at that stage the owner of the land could bulldoze or sell it for
building flats or houses in it place.
A council spokeswoman said: “There is a process to be followed and this
is on-going. Once this has been completed we will revisit the planning
situation.”
Putnam Construction Services, contracted to carry out the work, has
declined to comment throughout this process.
As has the Brakspear Brewery owned by the applicant for the demolition
J. T Davies & Sons, Paul Sturgess of the developer the Caldecotte Group,
and the pub’s most recent manager Phil Davies.
Asbestos Concerns
Asbestos remains a cause of serious concern as campaigners for the pub,
which is right next to a school, say it was torn down without proper
safety measures.
Cllr Bronwen McGarrity, for Coldharbour ward, was among 50 people who
stood outside in protest last month, after council officers’ demands
that the developers to stop midway through the work were ignored.
“We know these workers have not taken proper safety measures and that is
a huge concern. There was not time for any asbestos checks, and there is
a school right next door,” she said.
Jill Inglis, from the Health and Safety Executive, said they were only
made aware of the demolition after it had happened.
She added: “We have followed up on concerns about the asbestos and are
satisfied the duty holder has managed the risk from asbestos
appropriately.”
Tina Brooker, of The Warren, Gravesend, who is leading the campaign to
save the pub said: “I’ve seen the documents the HSE have, stating the
asbestos was all safely removed on October 12 but we know that the
building was already almost demolished. There’s no way surveys and safe
removals could have happened then.
“The HSE has just taken the document they’ve been sent on face value,
and don’t seem to want to dig deeper.
“There’s no mention of asbestos in the out buildings either, which the
previous landlord said was present.”
According to the HSE’s own regulations the duty holder of the
land/building must “locate and identify all ACM (asbestos containing
material) before any structural work begins at a stated location or on
stated equipment at the premises. It involves destructive inspection and
asbestos disturbance. The area surveyed must be vacated, and certified
fit for reoccupation after the survey”.
The owner of the land, J. T Davies & Sons, has been uncontactable to
verify this and the Messenger has asked HSE for confirmation.
The campaigners are calling on the council to follow in the footsteps of
Wandsworth which, this summer, issued a blanket Article 4 directive on
all its pubs and bars, which gives them greater protection and means
that any change of use or development of a pub would have to have
approval by the council.
The council is the first in the country to instigate Article 4.
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June 2018 and I am informed that still no action has taken place.
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Sean Delaney, 10 January 2020.
Future of demolished Battle of Britain pub in Northfleet uncertain as debate rages on.
The final decision on building more than two dozen homes on the site of
an illegally demolished pub has been put back.
Gravesham councillors deferred action over the proposed development for
the Battle of Britain in Coldharbour Road, Northfleet, at a planning
committee meeting this week.
People were furious when bulldozers arrived at the boozer and started to
tear it down without permission from Gravesham council more than three
years ago.
The authority had obtained an order for workers to stop, only to be
ignored and later told the historic landmark would have to be demolished
because it was structurally unsafe.
Planning officers recommended approval on Wednesday for the
redevelopment of the site but councillors applied the breaks.
If approved, the project would consist of 20 homes made up of six lots
of three bedroom houses and 14 two and one bed flats.
There will be 32 car parking spaces, room for cycle storage, a private
communal gardens and an access road on to New House Lane.
A decision on the development was requested by Cllr Shane Mochrie-Cox
(Lab).
Speaking at the planning committee meeting, he said the building held
"special memories for many local people" and called for its
preservation.
Deputy leader of the council, Cllr Lee Croxton (Lab), was in agreement,
asking it be rebuilt "brick-by-brick".
Several members of the campaign group Battle of Britain Community Group
– launched in an attempt to preserve the building as an asset of
community value – were also present.
Tina Brooker, of The Warren, Gravesend, spearheads the group and said
people were still just as aggrieved about the pub's fate.
She had expressed a preference for the council to reclaim the land after
she said the developers "broke so many rules".
"People feel it is now lost," she said. "We had tried to take them [the
developers] to court to make them rebuild it."
But the campaigner conceded it was looking increasingly unlikely the pub
would be salvaged adding "we have lost our battle to save our history".
She now hopes the site could be reused in a purposeful way but dismissed
the current plans, which include three-storey buildings, as "not in
keeping with the area".
Instead she argued it might be better served by providing bungalows for
elderly residents, which in turn she said would free up existing
properties to meet the council's housing targets.
An asbestos survey was carried out on the pub site but only after some
of the demolition had already started, and it was incorrectly dated as
August instead of October.
The group argues this raises suspicions and makes it impossible to be
assured over the mineral, with exposure linked to diseases including
mesothelioma, asbestosis and lung cancer.
Ms Brooker received unconfirmed reports from the previous owner this was
located in the boiler room.
She says this could have an affect in the future on the adjoining land
which includes Shears Green Junior School.
There has also been various issues with fly-tipping on site.
The current design proposals also include a provision for public art
related to the site's historical connections with the 1940 Battle of
Britain.
An idea was put before councillors that this might take the form of a
Spitfire.
Council leader Cllr John Burden (Lab) asked who would be responsible for
looking after this to which the planning officers replied it would be
incorporated as a "legal obligation" going forward.
He added while the circumstances surrounding the pub's demolition was
regrettable, it should not prevent the site from being repurposed for
future use.
The next planning meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday
February 5 at 7pm.
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Alex Langridge, 4 July 2022.
Former Battle of Britain pub in Coldharbour Road, Northfleet, could
become care home.
The site of an illegally demolished pub could be turned into a care
home.
The Battle of Britain in Northfleet was earmarked to be turned into 20
homes after plans were approved two years ago but the land has since
been sold.
Frontier Estates could build a care home at the site. Picture: Frontier Estates.
The original building was illegally knocked down in 2016, a move which
angered a lot of local residents.
It has sat empty since but now property investment company Frontier
Estates is developing proposals for a care home for the elderly instead.
The plans are still in the early stages and the firm is looking for
involvement from the community in shaping the final development.
Councillor for Coldharbour ward Shane Mochrie-Cox said: "I got a leaflet
through the door like all the other residents have had. From what I have
heard people do not really object to a care home.
"Whatever goes there should not impact local residents or cause
tensions. It has just got to work for the community."
He added some people have already raised concerns with the height of the
proposed building, the design and possible parking problems.
A spokesman for Frontier Estates said: "Frontier Estates are developing
proposals for a new care home for the elderly having recently purchased
the former Battle of Britain public house site in Northfleet.
"The proposals seek to effectively re-use a vacant site to deliver high
quality, en-suite accommodation for the elderly. This will have the
capability to deliver much needed nursing and residential care including
the provision of dementia-specific care."
Residents were left furious in 2016 when bulldozers arrived and started
to tear the historic boozer down without permission. This was put down
to a "communication error".
It caused further outrage when council officers told the workers to
stop, only to be ignored.
In the end the council was forced to allow the complete demolition of
the pub because it was structurally unsafe.
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Alex Langridge, 19 December 2022.
Care home plans at former Battle of Britain pub in Coldharbour Road,
Northfleet submitted to Gravesham council.
A planning application to replace an illegally-demolished pub with a
large care home has been submitted to council planners.
Property investment company Frontier Estates held a consultation
earlier this year for its proposals for the former Battle of Britain in
Northfleet.
Developers have asked for permission to build the care home featuring
65 bedrooms. Picture: Frontier Estates.
The historic boozer was knocked down in 2016 without permission by the
previous owner in what was put down as a "communication error", a move
which angered residents.
It caused further outrage when council officers told the workers to
stop, only to be ignored.
In the end, the council was forced to allow the complete demolition of
the pub because it was structurally unsafe.
The site in Coldharbour Road was then earmarked to be turned into 20
homes after plans were approved two years ago but the land was sold
before this could come to fruition.
New owners Frontier Estates has now submitted plans to Gravesham Borough
Council to build a 65-bedroom care home on the vacant site.
The boozer was illegally demolished in 2016. Picture: Andy Payton.
The planning statement states: "The proposed care home will provide high
quality accommodation for the elderly, with the capability for all care
needs to be met on site.
"It is likely to be dual-registered, so that it can deliver both nursing
and residential care, enabling the provision of dementia-specific care."
The three-storey home would have 65 single occupancy bedrooms all with
wet room provisions – 25 rooms on the ground floor, 25 on the first
floor and 15 on the second floor.
Each level is proposed to have a lounge and dining space, a nurse's
office and a drugs store.
The home would have several communal facilities including a café, family
room, activity rooms, a hair and beauty salon, a cinema and a residents'
garden.
Plans include 27 parking spaces including two disabled spots and an
ambulance drop-off space and new vehicle access provided from New House
Lane.
It is expected to employ around 70 people equating to 53 full-time
positions.
There is also scope to include artwork to honour the former Battle of
Britain public house.
During the public consultation in July, concerns were raised over the
height of the home but the applicants responded saying the proposed
layout and design is appropriate.The planning statement added the scale, height and massing of the
building has been reduced as much as possible to ensure it fits in with
its surroundings.
The plans propose the building would be three-storeys high. Picture:
Frontier Estates.
Planning permission is being sought to build a care home. Picture:
Frontier Estates.
Developers also say in the applications there were no objections from
the summer's consultation adding comments supporting the plans included
"the proposal is exactly what the area needs and the care home will be a
great asset to the community".
The report added: "Importantly, this proposal provides an opportunity to
better utilise this site, which is currently vacant and covered by large
areas of hardstanding, to develop an attractive corner building in this
location.
"This proposal would deliver much-needed care beds in an area where
there is an identified need for them."
A decision for the plans is expected by Monday, February 27. You can
view the application here.
The Battle of Britain pub was built by RAF personnel to commemorate
Gravesend being the first RAF station to operate the American P-51
Mustang III fighter-bomber.
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Alex Langridge, 8 June 2023.
Plans for care home on site of former Battle of Britain pub in
Northfleet set for approval.
Plans to build a 65-bed care home on the site of an illegally-demolished
pub have been recommended for approval.
Property investment company Frontier Estates submitted an application in
December for its proposals for the former Battle of Britain in
Northfleet.
The historic boozer was knocked down in 2016 without permission by the
previous owner in what was put down as a "communication error", a move
which angered residents.
It caused further outrage when council officers told the workers to
stop, only to be ignored.
In the end, the council was forced to allow the complete demolition of
the pub because it was structurally unsafe.
The site in Coldharbour Road was then earmarked to be turned into 20
homes after plans were approved two years ago but the land was sold
before this could come to fruition.
New owners Frontier Estates then submitted plans to Gravesham council to
build a 65-bedroom care home on the vacant site following an earlier
public consultation.
The three-storey facility will be dual registered, if approved,
providing nursing and residential care on site.
The plans also 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.
A decision on the application was expected by the end of February but
they were referred to be discussed at planning committee by a
councillor.
In their report, council officers recommended the project for approval
subject to conditions.
Council officers have recommenced the plans for approval. Picture:
Frontier Estates.
It added: “The scheme would be acceptable in land use terms, providing
much needed residential care accommodation for elderly people with
dementia and freeing up existing housing supply.
“It would provide a positive contribution to the street scene, public
realm and local character.
“The proposals will have no detrimental impact on the surrounding
landscape, character of the area, amenity, highway safety or parking.
The scheme takes into account the history of the site wider context of
the area.”
What the care home could look like if it is approved. Picture: Frontier Estates.
The application will be heard at the council meeting on Wednesday, June
14.
During the public consultation last July, concerns were raised over the
height of the home but the applicants responded saying the proposed
layout and design is appropriate.
The Battle of Britain pub was built by RAF personnel to commemorate
Gravesend being the first RAF station to operate the American P-51
Mustang III fighter-bomber.
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From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Chris Hunter, 15 June 2023.
Planners give green light to care home on former Battle of Britain pub
site in Northfleet.
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. |
LICENSEE LIST
DAVIES Phil up to 2016
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