Plans to turn a famous Southampton pub into four flats have been given the go-ahead - ten months after it served its last customer.
The city council has approved an application to convert the Juniper Berry, which stands on the site of a house that was occupied by Jane Austen.
The famous novelist lived there in 1807-1809 and a plaque commemorating her stay is attached to the side of the pub.
As reported, the Juniper Berry shut in mysterious circumstances in February last year. It reopened in September, but closed again three months later after the building was declared unsafe.
READ MORE: Mystery surrounds closure of Juniper Berry
Now, a conversion scheme put forward by Mandair Property Holdings has been approved by the council.
It comes after another applicant submitted proposals to convert the former Anchor Hotel in Test Lane, Redbridge, into flats and commercial units.
Quoting comments made by the council's built heritage officer, a planning officers' report says: "The Juniper Berry was built in the 1930s, replacing an earlier tavern of the same name, in a mock-Tudor style with good period detailing.
"It occupies a prominent location in the Old Town Conservation Area, fronting both Castle Square and Forest View.
"Formerly known as Castle Tavern & Bosun's Locker, it presents a strong historical and social connection to the dockland community it once served.
"The proposals seek to retain the existing building and convert the ground floor to flats. No alterations to the external appearance of the property would be required. The plaque referring to Jane Austen would be retained."
The report confirms that the scheme would result in the loss of a public house.
But it adds: "Pubs are not safeguarded in the city centre because there are alternative venues to meet the day-to-day needs of the community.
"The proposed dwellings would represent windfall housing development. The LDF Core Strategy identifies the council’s current housing need and this scheme would assist the council in meeting its targets.
"There would also be social and economic benefits resulting from the construction of the new dwellings, and their subsequent occupation.
"Much of the significance of the inside of the building has long been removed.
"It is considered that the proposal would not result in harm to the character and appearance of the conservation area."
READ MORE: 'Unsafe' Juniper Berry pub closes weeks after reopening
Summing up, the report says: "The principle of new residential development is considered acceptable. The adverse impacts of granting permission would not significantly outweigh the benefits."
Mandair plans to provide two studio apartments and a pair of two-bedroom flats on the ground floor. The first floor is already a flat.
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