Plans to turn a former pub described as an “eyesore” into a restaurant have been backed by councillors in Sandwich.

Members of the town council are in favour of the change of use of the Greyhound in New Street but want several issues to be resolved.

The applicant wants to make the ground floor of the building into a restaurant and change the first floor into two flats.

Councillors were concerned that part of the ground floor was also to be used for staff accommodation.

Cllr Jeremy Watts said: “I am worried that if this is going to be a flat for staff it is within the flood plain, which should not be allowed.”

Other concerns raised by councillors were a right of way issue for Sandwich Centre for the Retired, which backs onto the site and information on working hours of builders during the project because of houses close by.

Cllr John Bragg said: “We have got to take into account this is an unused building that is an eyesore."