THE former Ship pub in Leigh will be turned into a 15 bedroom hotel after planning permissions was granted.

Southend Council approved plans for the building for a second time in five months at a meeting this week.

The pub in New Road, Leigh will have 15 rooms and a second storey extension to the rear of the building.

It will also have seven parking spaces and a taxi drop-off point.

At a meeting on Wednesday members of the council’s development control committee insisted it would “not worsen the relationship of the building with the neighbouring properties”.

Leigh Town Council and five neighbours had objected.

One, speaking to the committee, said: “This is seven spaces for 15 cars.

“The impact is going to be felt in surrounding areas.

“Parking is already atrocious in these roads and this is being built on a road notorious for accidents.

“The goods going to hotel by lorries and other goods vehicles will also cause traffic jams.”

He added that the building will impact his home, blocking views and overshadowing his property. He labelled it a “massive intrusion”.

An agent speaking on behalf of the applicant dismissed the concerns noting that the highways department had reviewed the plans and not raised an objections.

He said that it would also “improve the irregular parking that happens outside the property at present” and said it would have little impact on neighbouring properties.

The Ship dates back to the 1800s and operated as a pub until closing suddenly in 2017 due to “unforeseen circumstances”.

The application to turn the pub into a hotel has come from Paul Barthaud, director of East Anglia Pub Company which also operates the popular Peterboat pub in Leigh.

The first application was approved in July but an extra bedroom and extension was included in the revamped plans which have also now been approved by the council.