A CONTROVERSIAL pub has been given the go-ahead by Government inspectors seven months after Gravesham Council turned it down.

Traders and councillors have been left stunned by the decision to allow the Smith and Jones-style pub planning permission.

Pub firm Barracuda applied to the council last year to convert the former Carpet Right store in King Street, Gravesend, into a £650,000 boozer.

But it was turned down on safety grounds fearing drinkers leaving the premises could cause an accident because of the street's narrow pavements.

Council chiefs were also worried chain pub-style discounts would affect existing town centre premises.

After being turned down, the firm appealed to the Government's Planning Inspectorate, in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM).

And last month it was announced Gravesham Council's decision had been overturned.

The Inspectorate dismissed the council's safety concerns, saying King Street is one-way and limited to buses between 10am and 6pm and has an additional footpath on the opposite side of the road.

Barracuda will apply for a licence in August and if successful, will start conversion work in September.

When completed just before Christmas, it will hold 300 patrons and, according to Barracuda, will provide 30 new jobs.

Landlord Pip Nevell, of the nearby New Inn, says he feels the Government's decision could lead to other pubs going out of business.

He said: "This is a travesty and it could wipe us out. I'm not against competition from licensed premises but it's wrong that our town and our council were railroaded into accepting a large drinking factory.

"Everyone was fighting on our behalf, from councillors to members of the public, and we still lost. We didn't stand a chance. I'm gutted."

Riverside ward councillor Lee Croxton says the fact the decision can be overturned by people with no knowledge of the area, is worrying.

He said: "Planning departments see things as black and white and don't look into the community's needs. The council decision was unanimous and this is not the sort of town that needs a large pub. It's very disturbing."

An ODPM spokesman said: "The Inspector has ruled these proposals would not significantly harm either road safety or the viability of the town centre and therefore do not contradict Gravesham Council's local plan.

"Applicants have the right to have their appeals heard by an inspector who takes all the evidence into account before making a decision."

Barracuda, which said it was happy the pub is to go-ahead, declined to comment further.