A PUB on a main road into Stourport is to be knocked down for housing after a scaled down scheme was given the thumbs up.

A total of 28 two and one-bedroom apartments will be built on the site of The Brindley Arms, in Minster Road.

The scheme was given the go-ahead by planning chiefs more than 18 months after a larger plan was turned down.

The bid for 53 apartments was rejected by Wyre Forest District Council's planning (development control) committee in October, 2003.

The new design "is an improvement on the previously submitted plans", Stourport Civic Society commented in a report given to committee members.

The society, however, said it was "disappointed that a national housebuilder, such as Wimpey, could not have produced a more imaginative design of this site, which forms one of the main gateways to the town".

The society also "questioned the need for even more one-bedroom flats" in the town and said the scheme's spiral staircases were "totally impractible for everyday living".

Five objections were received. One stated the scheme would "turn this area of Stourport into one big housing estate" while another said homes were "being built on any given space".

Problems which saw the 2003 scheme thrown out, including the loss of privacy to other homes and its "over-prominent" size, had now been answered, said council case officer, Julia Summerfield.

The new scheme would "provide an attractive frontage to Minster Road" she said.

The development comprises 18 two bed and 10 one-bed apartments over two blocks.

Eight of the two-bed flats have been set aside for affordable housing.