Pub The Royal, in Dovercourt, to become new flats and home

A planning application to transform The Royal in Dovercourt into eight apartments and a three-bedroom house was approved by Tendring Council.

The development will include the part demolition and extension of the former pub to enable its residential conversion into homes.

Concerns had been raised over parking at the site.

Rochelle Bird, of Manor Road, Dovercourt, lodged a comment to Tendring Council saying: “As a resident in Manor Road the parking is already atrocious with members of other roads parking down the street.

“Both members of my households work for NHS and finish late at night - with nowhere to park.

“With apartments, the worry for parking is increased.

“I have discussed with members of Manor Road and we would like permit parking to reduce this, or offer some protection for us residents to park down our own road and feel safe.”

Harwich Town Council had raised no objection to the application.

In a statement it said: “Harwich Town Council has no objection to this application, however, would like the planning authority to note concerns over the loss of another public house and there appears to have been insufficient attempts made to preserve the business and community facility.”

The heritage assessment, on Tendring Council’s planning portal, stated the pub is a non-designated heritage asset of “low heritage significance”.

It added: “There is no evidence of a historic association with any renowned architect, brewery or patron, while the general design, form and appearance of the building is not of a rarity to set it apart from other arts and crafts influenced public houses of the interwar period.

“The fact the pub is no longer trading also diminishes what little historic interest it does possess.”

The application came after owners of the Hanover Inn, in Harwich, and the Anchor Inn, in Mistley, sent plans to Tendring Council to turn their pubs into homes.

But the pubs have now been registered as assets of community value.