A historic pub which lost its licence after an alleged samurai sword attack in 2017 could return alongside a housing build.

The Bell Inn in Broadway, Rainham, said to date back to the 18th century, could be reopened after an application was submitted by Richard Gillanders.

In November 2017, The Recorder reported The Bell Inn's licence was revoked after police revealed "serious concerns" around crime and disorder there.

It was alleged on October 19 that year a group attacked a man with a cosh before stabbing him in the head with a samurai sword at the pub.

Havering Council received the proposal to reopen it on February 29 this year, validated it a few days later on March 3 and set a decision date to May 29.

Eight flats contained within a three-storey building to the pub's rear are also part of Mr Gillanders's plans for site, which lies in a conservation area.

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Mr Gillanders has had his proposal supported by agent Cubit Consulting, which signed the declaration.

Works are expected to start in June this year, according to the application, and set for completion that month in 2026.

A design and access statement from the agent outlines how the garage near the pub will be demolished to "improve" the site's look.

"[This will] allow for a larger site entrance, but no external works will be carried out to The Bell Inn building as a result of the proposal.

"The proposed development [...] would be an enhancement within the neglected part of the conservation area," it argued.

The application form shows the site still contains The Bell Inn building, which has been out of use since 2017.

A car park at the back of the building, which contains 22 spaces, would be reduced to have just three proposed spaces under the plans.

But 28 cycle spaces, two disabled parking spots and two residential off-street parking spots would be provided.

A previous application by Mr Gillanders for nine homes in place of the garage was refused by the council in October 2022.

The progress of this application can be followed via the council's planning portal using reference code P0300.24.