PLANS to turn a closed Colchester pub into flats have been approved.

Ramakrishnaiah Muli has received planning permission from Colchester Council to convert the Foundry Arms, in Artillery Street in New Town, Colchester, into two two-bed flats.

Each flat will be split over two floors, including a kitchen, toilet and living/dining area downstairs with two bedrooms, a bathroom and en-suite above.

The basement of the property could also be converted into an office or gym area.

The pub closed for good earlier this year during the lockdown period.

Mr Muli's plans have now been rubber stamped by Colchester Council's planning department, subject to a number of conditions.

The plans received nine objections online with residents raising concerns about where the new residents would park as well as the loss of another historic watering hole.

One said: "Too many pubs are closing and when they are gone they never return."

Another added: "The parking around this area is already a nightmare.

"Trying to fit in two more two bedroom flats in the area will just add to the problem."

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However, six letters of support were also received in response to the proposals.

One said: "Honestly, it is a shame that it's no longer going to be a pub, but if its only two homes with no extensions and the grounds are being landscaped to remove the large trees that block light I have no objections at all.

"The people objecting don't know what a nightmare it was living near the pub at times."

Another added: "There is already a pub in Artillery Street, a mere 20 yards away from the Foundry Arms.

"There is no need for two pubs within such close proximity of each of in this close knit residential area."

Earlier this year residents raised £850 to buy a new defibrillator for the nearby Artilleryman pub after the Foundry Arms' closure was announced.

Colchester Civic Society described the proposals as a "reasonable scheme" but called for the building's historic features to be preserved in any redevelopment of the site.