A former village pub and restaurant will be converted into housing after plans were given the green light by the council.

The Railway Inn in Defford near Pershore will become two new four-bed homes with proposals by Josephine Amadio approved by Wychavon District Council.

The planning application was first put forward 18 months ago in April 2022 but was later revised with the plans to build homes behind the converted pub scrapped.

The former pub would be altered and extended and a new garage would be built to make way for the conversion.

The original plan for the land off the village’s Main Street included four self-build plots.

The restaurant closed in 2019 after almost 50 years and long-time owner Guido Amadio died in 2020 following a short illness.

Some concerns were raised by neighbours that building new homes behind the former would result in a loss of privacy.

The council argued the conversion of the pub and the new single-storey garage would not disrupt neighbours and the bulk of the concerns from objectors had been about the scrapped self-build plots.

A report outlining the council’s approval said: “The proposal seeks to retain the majority of the building in its current form, with a first-floor extension to the side and some minor extensions, alterations and reconfiguration, to facilitate the conversion of the buildings to two dwellings.

“A detached carport and garage block is proposed to the rear, which will include an electric vehicle charging point.

“The submitted plans indicate that the converted building will remain as render with materials to match, with the garage and carport being timber clad with a tiled roof.

“The design and scale of the proposed additions and alterations are subservient to the main building and will not detract from the character or appearance.”

One objector to the plan, David Leakey of Harpely Road in Defford, said the building should remain as a pub.

“I think the village would much prefer to see the sale of the Railway Inn be revived for its original purpose and as a legacy to Guido who gave 50 years of service to the local people and his trade,” he said. “Another infill for more houses brings very little long-term value without the community support.”