A locally listed Woodford Green pub within a conservation area can now form part of a development of flats after receiving approval from Redbridge Council.

The roof of the Horse & Well pub in High Road, Woodford Green, is set to be removed to allow for five flats above.

The pub dates back to the late 18th century and is part of the Woodford Wells conservation area.

A rear wall will also be partially demolished and three three-bedroom homes built on a terrace at the rear of the site after the council’s Regulatory Committee granted approval on Thursday.

A petition with 11 signatures from eight addresses, including Wells Primary School, Barclay Oval, Woodford Green, was previously received by the council which stated the development could add to the “extremely heavy traffic” in the area.

The committee also approved a 68-home development on the disused Dairycrest depot site in Chigwell Road, South Woodford.

A mix of housing, from studio flats to four bedroom homes, can now be built after it was passed by one vote.

A large part of the site lies within a floodplain next to the River Roding.

Conservative councillor Paul Canal, of Bridge ward, said: “Why do we think it’s appropriate to build housing in a flood plain?”

A housing development plan had previously allocated it as a suitable area.

Conditions were placed on the application over the finished floor levels and provision of a “flood storage void space” below housing.