COUNCIL bosses have given their consent to plans to transform a former pub into cottages.

The Griffin pub in Parsonage Street, Halstead closed in 2020 as a result of the pandemic along with one of its sister pubs, the Three Horseshoes, in Fordham.

Developers are seeking permission from Braintree Council to transform the Grade II listed building into cottages.

Plans would also see the pub's beer garden and parking area become the new home for a pair of two-bedroom semi-detached houses.

Existing access to the site from Parsonage Street would be retained.

Now the move has been backed by Halstead Town Council.

Meeting on Valentines Day, the council votes five for, two against and one abstention in favour of approving the bid.

While Halstead Town Council can;t directly grant planning permission, their verdict is taken into account during the final review by Braintree Council.

However, some councillors did find fault with the application.

According to the official Halstead Town Council minutes, "councillor Gronland felt that there was inadequate visitor parking, and councillors had also noticed inaccuracies in the report concerning the age of the building, and felt that these should be corrected."

The motion to pose no objection the bid was carried and no the developers await approval from Braintree Council.