A historic pub dating back more than 240 years will be transformed into three flats as developers hope to give the building “a new lease of life”.

The Wheatsheaf Inn in St Lawrence, Ramsgate, has been running on the corner of High Street since 1777 but in recent times was "drastically underperforming".

Applicants ​​Estria Property Solutions submitted plans back in December last year to turn the site into homes – and these proposals have now been approved by Thanet District Council.

The Wheatsheaf shut down more than two years ago and the firm's director, Craig Sherwood, previously told KentOnline: “The pub isn't required as residents are no longer supporting it.

“The pub had been drastically underperforming for a number of years, and the landlords could not sell the building as a commercial space.

"The owners want to retire, having been there for 16 years."

Documents show the site had been marketed by estate agency Guy Simmonds since July 2019.

The owners accepted an offer "considerably below the asking price" the following year, but the purchaser withdrew his bid in February 2021 after claiming the survey had highlighted issues with the property.

No offers have been made for the old pub since then.

Mr Sherwood says his research into other businesses in the area led him to the conclusion "introducing another community-based business would offer little to no value".

The company’s previous plans to convert the pub into one flat and two homes of multiple occupation were snubbed by Thanet District Council last summer.

But the proposals for the three flats have been given the green light by the local authority.

"Our latest plans will give the Wheatsheaf Inn a new lease of life," Mr Sherwood continued.

The Thanet Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) objected to the loss of the pub for the local community.

Representative Julian Stone claimed: “In the right hands there is no reason why the Wheatsheaf could not trade in a profitable manner and continue to serve the local community.

‘Residents are no longer supporting it...’

“It remaining unsold is not surprising, but this does not show that it is unwanted.

“The building itself is a good example of a Tudor-style pub built around 1900, of which only two other examples still operate in Ramsgate.”

While the external appearence of the building will remain unchanged, the homes will be spead across the inn’s three floors, including its cellar.

The original Wheatsheaf Inn opened in the Georgian era, before being replaced by the current building at the turn of the 20th century.