A PUB which had its licence revoked after a police probe has been transformed into a nursery and martial arts centre, but iy is still subkect to a planning decision.

The Crooked Billet, in Stanford-le-Hope, was shut down by the council in 2021 following a police investigation into crime and disorder.

The building in Billet Lane was then used by Little Bunnies Childcare Services along with a martial arts academy, but no formal planning application was submitted.

The nursery has now submitted a retrospective application to Thurrock Council, which has provided licences to the two business, including changing a staff room into a "baby room".

The applicant said: "When Thurrock Council closed down the pub, the building use changed and the two firms started operations.

"The proposal is for the refurbished front bar area to be used as a nursery and change of use of the hall to a martial arts academy. Furthermore, the beer garden was transformed and a very useful playground was created for children.

"The application seeks approval for change of use to a creche, day nursery or day centre where all licences have been approved by Thurrock Council. A new baby room is proposed on the ground floor."

Thurrock Council stripped the Crooked Billet of its licence following a series of early morning raids.

The raids at 11 properties, including the pub, a residential property in Goldsmiths Avenue, Corringham, and homes in Basildon and Kent, saw five people arrested.

At the time the landlord closed the bars but kept the building's function room open for the several community, dance and exercise groups which call it home.

Open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5.30pm, the nursery has 40 children aged two to five at any one time along with six children under two for the baby room.

The Combat Academy is open Monday to Thursday from 10am to 8pm and on Friday from 6am to 10pm and is for all age groups, including children.

The site is owned by Thurrock Council and the pub has an existing lease until May 2025.