A landmark pub building which has sat empty for five years could soon be turned into luxury flats. The Grade-II listed Green Lion in High Street, Rainham, has fallen into disrepair since last orders were called. Proposals to convert it onto a children’s nursery, microbrewery and even turn it back into licensed premises have all failed, having not met planning and conservationists’ requirements.
But now an application has been submitted to Medway Council’s planning department for a change of use from a public house to two apartments with parking spaces and external alterations. Businessman Nathan Plumley, who owns the landmark 14th-century hostelry, said he was “keeping his fingers crossed” this latest scheme is approved. He said: “It’s a lovely building and we can’t wait to see it restored to its former glory.
“Rainham has enough pubs and this really attractive residential development will bring new life into the town. “The apartments will be massive. We were going to go for three one-bedroom flats but decided on two, two-bedroom ones.
“The design will be in keeping with the local area with nice sash windows. We have tried renting the building out but with no success. “If this plan fails, we shall appeal it.
” A year after the closure, the first application for the building came from two businesswomen who run the Hedgehogs chain of pre-schools across the Towns. Their venture was initially met favourably and they even had their distinctive company logo.
