VILLAGERS fear their community could be ripped apart if plans to convert their local pub into flats go ahead.

The proposals seek to transform the Chequers, in High Street, Canewdon, into four flats and construct two bungalows on land behind it.

Maurice Rushbrooke, chairman of the village community association, said: “It serves wonderful food and it’s really the best pub for miles.

“Hundreds of people come from Southend for it, we’ve got a job to get in there sometimes. If anybody wants a wedding or funeral they do it.

“It’s not as if it’s going downhill. That’s the annoying bit, it’s a thriving pub.”

Mr Rushbrooke said the pub is at the heart of the community and is used as a meeting place by the church and local schools, and the cribbage and cricket clubs.

He added: “A lot of people will be really shocked when they find out what’s happening.”

The plans would not see a change to the pub’s traditional frontage.

Scott Fairley, of Building Design Associates, who drew up the plans, said the pub had been on the market for some time, but there had been no interest.

He said: “The current managers are looking to retire.

“They’ve kept the pub on to see them out to their retirement, which is quite good I think.”

Mr Fairley said they had only had one person look around the pub in the past 18 months and they did not make an offer. The plans had been submitted to increase the number of people who might consider buying the pub, but would not necessarily go ahead.

He added: “It’s still on the market as a pub, so if somebody buys it as a pub it’s not going to happen.”