AN historic Pickering pub is set to be turned into houses under new plans.

A planning application to turn the Grade-II listed Royal Oak pub and hotel in Eastgate into a terrace of three two-bed homes and a detached four-bed home was approved at a meeting of Ryedale District Council planning committee last night (Tuesday).

A report from the planning officer said that the pub has been closed since August 2016.

In 2017 the pub was put out to public auction but received no bids.

One issue for planning officers was that the site is in a conservation area. The plans involve some demolitions and remodelling; however these were deemed acceptable.

The report said: “The proposal is considered to enhance the Pickering conservation area by the sensitive development to the front of the site.”

The application had attracted just a small number of public responses.

Planning consent was approved with a number of conditions.