DEVELOPERS are still committed to building flats on the site of West End's derelict Lamp and Mantle pub.

A question mark has hung over the future of the building which was at the centre of a "Save Our Pub" campaign. An attempt by Eastleigh Council to have the building listed was crushed by Whitehall.

Developers withdrew their latest proposals which were due to go before this week's Hedge End, West End and Botley Local Area Committee but fresh proposals are set to go before councillors in the new year.

Mark Sennitt, head of planning for Orchard Homes and Developments Ltd, said they had reached agreement on most issues with Eastleigh Council. A sticking point remained over junction improvements.

He said: "We have been invited by the council to withdraw our application so that we can have further discussions with Hampshire County Council to sort out the highway issues."

He revealed that they would not be proceeding with an appeal, due to be heard at a public inquiry in December.

He said: "We will be submitting a new application and we hope to be able to go to committee in January with a recommendation for approval."

The latest scheme by Orchard Homes was for 34 flats in one block, ranging from two to three storeys, with parking for 44 cars. Their earlier scheme was for 38 flats.

The former pub, a landmark building on the corner of Swaythling Road and High Street in West End, closed nearly 18 months ago and is in a poor state of repair following a fire. Eastleigh council last year tried to have the building retained as a good example of late 1920s pub design, but the government's Department of Culture, Media and Sport refused to uphold the council's building preservation notice.

The latest Orchard Homes proposals found favour with council officers, who had recommended granting permission subject to details including an acceptable scheme of highway work.

There were said to be 1,200 applicants for one and two-bedroom accommodation in the West End area and agreement had already been reached with the developer for 30 per cent affordable housing as part of the scheme. But West End Parish Council objected over car fumes and noise and there were four letters complaining about loss of privacy, increase in traffic, inadequate drainage and dangerous access.