PLANS to turn an historic seafront pub into flats and a fish and chip shop have been recommended for approval...despite calls for an independent expert to be brought in.

The facade of the 200-year-old Britannia pub, in Eastern Esplanade, Southend, will be preserved following protests by heritage groups. The Stockvale Group originally wanted to knock down the whole building - claiming it was beyond repair.

However, some campaigners are still unhappy with the latest plans. Outbuildings and part of the rear of the pub, which closed in March 2015, will be demolished - with three flats and a ground floor restaurant in its place. A separate four storey block of six flats will be built at the back.

Andy Atkinson, vice chairman of the Milton Conservation Society, does not believe the Britannia application should go to Southend Council’s planning committee before it has been inspected by historians.

He said: “The building is in poor condition but quite possibly not beyond restoration.

“We recognise that the developer who wanted full demolition is now prepared to repair and retain the building façade, but, if approved by the council, the historic building will be lost for ever.

Mr Atkinson added: “Whilst we have strongly objected to the application our primary concern is that the council has not carried out any independent inspection of the site by an historic building expert.

“We have asked councillors to commission this report as this is one of the very few surviving Georgian buildings and was important in the early urbanisation of Southend seafront.

“It deserves careful examination before key decisions are made.”

The Stockvale Group did not respond to requests for a comment.