A HISTORIC pub left empty and in a state of disrepair is set for a £1million restoration.

The Stockwell Arms, in West Stockwell Street, Colchester, has stood empty for more than a year.

However, investor and publican Robert Morgan has gained planning permission to complete the first stage of a massive restoration project.

Mr Morgan and his wife, Maggie, who have been credited with transforming the Little Crown Pub, in Eld Lane, Colchester, are hoping to re-open the 16th-century pub in the Dutch Quarter as a family pub and restaurant next June.

Planning bosses have granted the couple permission to start the project.

The first stage will be to refurbish the outside of the building and clear the quarter of an acre garden, including the removal of a 50ft tree, part of which is growing under the building.

Mr Morgan said: “We bought the property 15 months ago, so it has taken a long time to get to this point.

“It is a truly beautiful building in a lovely historic part of Colchester, and we are hoping to refurbish it so it looks very much like it would have in the 1500s.

“It will be more of a restaurant than a pub, and it will have a large garden area which will be perfect for children.

“There are an awful lot of pubs already in the town catering for 20 and 30-somethings, but not many pubs for families.”

The couple have discovered a number of original features, including a carving of an angel hidden beneath paint and tar.

Deeds for the timber-framed building date back to 1380.

Robinson Crusoe author Daniel Defoe is listed as one of the 14th-century property’s former occupants and is said to have penned his classic novel Moll Flanders there in 1722.