Plans to turn a closed Crayford pub into flats have been given permission after an appeal.

The Royal Charlotte Pub in Station Road had permission granted last year to reopen the boozer under mixed usage, with some flats being installed alongside the revamped pub.

Councillors unanimously backed the proposals in September, where councillor Andy Dourmoush said: “There’s nothing on this application that causes me any concern. I think the retention of the public house is a positive thing. Personally I welcome it.”

However, an application from January last year that was refused in April has been overturned by the Planning Inspectorate.

The council was concerned about the potential loss of a community asset under this application, which is just for five flats.

The inspector said that because of the amount of other pubs, there would be no real loss to a community asset.

The inspector said: "There would appear to be several alternative public house venues within relatively easy walking distance for most people from the appeal site. Therefore I am not persuaded that the proposal would result in any significant harm to the community’s ability to meet its day to day needs."

The appeal was granted by the inspectorate and has given the green light for the Charlotte to be turned into five flats comprising once studio, a one bed, two two-bedroom flats and a three bed.