PLANS to demolish a rundown pub and build a £5million hotel will finally go ahead after a row with English Heritage was resolved.

Elysium, which runs several Colchester pubs and clubs, submitted proposals last year to demolish part of River Lodge, in Middleborough, Colchester, and transform the remainder into a three-storey hotel.

The plans were initially set to be decided in July. But after an extension was granted by Colchester Council to iron out lastminute details, they were rubber stamped last week.

The plans have been praised by businesses, who hope it will bring in more visitors to the town.

For more, see Monday's Gazette