Plans for 15th Century inn to become homes
Richard Croft/ GeographCouncillors are backing plans to protect a former 15th Century inn by creating 14 homes at the historic site.
The redevelopment of the Old Falcon Inn, St Neots, Cambridgeshire, aimed to "breathe life" into the building which has been empty for 20 years.
Developers Whitfield Property Investment Ltd said during that time the site had deteriorated and been vandalised.
St Neots Town councillor, Vivienne Hitchin, said: "For too long it has been an empty and deteriorating structure in a key location. Its current state has been a cause for concerns for residents and visitors alike."
Councillors at Huntingdonshire District Council backed plans for the Grade II listed building to be converted and extended to create homes and two commercial units.
Proposals to redevelop the site were put forward by developers and the district council, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
They included demolishing two rear wings to make way for the new homes, but to keep the main historic elements of the hotel.
During a development management committee on Monday, Dr John Burgess, a representative of the developers, said redevelopment would "give it a future" and "breathe life" into the Old Falcon for "future generations".
He added the site was not viable to run as a pub and hotel, but the proposed commercial units could be run as a shop or bar.
Ms Hitchin said: "We are pleased to see this long-vacant building be brought back into use.
"The Old Falcon hotel is an important part of our town's heritage and its redevelopment represents a major step forward in the regeneration of the Market Square."
District councillor Douglas Dew said the proposals were a "good opportunity", and if the building was allowed to deteriorate much more it would "be beyond saving".
The Environment Agency objected to the plans as some of the homes would be in flood zone 3b.
The committee agreed to support the redevelopment, subject to the resolution of issues around flood risk.
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