Save the Black Horse Pub

08/09/2026

Pledge Prospectus now live!

Our Pledge Prospectus is out. It sets out our plan to buy The Black Horse, form a Community Benefit Society, and reopen it as a community-owned pub and explains how you can pledge your support.

A pledge is non-binding and no money changes hands. But pledges are what give us the confidence to take the next step towards a formal share offer, so they matter.
Read it here:

Pledge your support for the Save The Black Horse campaign. Register a non-binding expression of interest to help save our village pub.

17/07/2026

BIG WIN: Housing Plan for The Black Horse Refused

Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council has thrown out the Permission in Principle application (26/00695/PIP) for three new houses on the Black Horse site. Right result. Right call.
TMBC refused it on two grounds: harm to the Stansted Conservation Area, and inappropriate development in the Green Belt including the fact that the site does not qualify as “limited infilling in a village”.
The owner can still appeal, and this was only a Permission in Principle decision, but it's a big step forward. Over 200 of you objected. This win is yours.

Thank you for backing us. It's working.

07/05/2026

171 objections in just over a week - amazing, thank you! If you haven't had a chance, have been too busy or simply forgot then you can still lodge objections using the link below so please do so - they are still being registered so it is worth it and we have asked for an extension. It would be brilliant to get over the 200 mark if we can! THANK YOU!

https://publicaccess.tmbc.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=TDKPS7QH0DV00&activeTab=summary&fbclid=IwY2xjawRphQ9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeCufJJ0UwiZFVMLpn4LzLLYSYVmW68MNVoOuID06ZJkmub_CYv-bVxCeXea8_aem_c5uK_4FfUPARDjE8gIE9Ow

30/04/2026

Save The Black Horse – Urgent planning update
A new Permission in Principle (PIP) planning application has been submitted to TMBC (Ref: 26/00695/PIP) for up to 3 homes on the Black Horse site. If approved, it seriously threatens any chance of the pub reopening.

Please object by: Weds 6th May (urgent).
You don’t have to live in the parish to comment—please share widely.

How to comment:
Use the TMBC planning portal and search 26/00695/PIP

Link to object: https://publicaccess.tmbc.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=TDKPS7QH0DV00&activeTab=summary

Key objection points (use your own words) - FOR MORE DETAIL SEE OUR WEBSITE OR LATEST EMAIL UPDATE
* Green Belt / not “limited infilling in a village”
* Loss of a viable pub (needs full site incl. parking/space)
* Harm to Conservation Area / heritage setting
* Loss of ACV-designated land
* Parking and access conflicts
* Noise/complaints risk harming pub operation
* Overlooking/light impacts on neighbours
* Tree felling and replacement notice
* Archaeology concerns (assessment needed)

Next pop-up pub night: 29th May, Stansted Village Hall (campaign update included).