Controversial plans to turn a closed pub along the Grand Union Canal into flats have been given the green light by council planners.

Having already withdrawn a previous application to flatten the Waterside Inn and replace it with a 40-bed apartment building, developer Cresco has been granted planning permission to turn the boozer into eight flats.

The Queensway inn had previously been put on the market with local agent Bromwich Hardy, with a guide price of £2,750,000 following the "universally negative" response to try and secure a new operator to reopen the business.

But the latest bid to repurpose the site - which was backed by Leamington Spa Town Council - has now been signed off by Warwick District Council.

The scheme will see the first floor split into two apartments, while the ground floor will be turned into six flats.

Plans show there will be a mix of studio and two-bedroom flats.

"The proposal seeks to bring life back to a site which has remained vacant for over four years," the application says.

"Our aim is to provide high quality, residential accommodation in an area of Leamington which offers the necessary amenity required for this use. In tandem which this, we seek to improve the material performance of the building internally, thus retaining the external fabric of the building and protecting the integrity of the Canal Conservation Area.

"To further enhance the area, it is proposed to increase the 'green' spaces of the site to ensure biodiversity is maintained and the amenity of the residents is protected.

"With all things considered, we believe the proposal endeavours to provide accommodation which adheres to national a local planning policy and the associated building regulations in England."

Signing off on the scheme a district council report said: "Subject to conditions and notes, the proposal will preserve the character of the conservation area and character of the area and is not considered to result in harm to residential amenity, highways safety and parking, flood risk, ecology/biodiversity or climate change and adaptation.

"When considering the benefits associated with the proposal the development is considered to represent a sustainable form of development and it is recommended that planning permission be granted."

Another application to turn the pub into a drive thru coffee shop is yet to be determined.

See the full residential application here.

(Header image by Robin Stott via geograph.org.uk)