Upper floor of 108 Risbygate Street, Bury St Edmunds, which formerly housed Orissa Cocktail Lounge to become a flat

A town’s former cocktail bar will become a flat after plans were approved.

Mr Ahmed’s application to West Suffolk Council to change the use of the first floor 108 Risbygate Street, in Bury St Edmunds, to a two-bedroom apartment was given the thumbs up on Thursday.

The building houses the Orissa curry house on the ground floor, while its upper floor was formerly used as a function room and latterly the Orissa Cocktail Lounge.

A planning statement said the decision for the conversion was an economic one, as the space was no longer being used for customers.

Bury Town Council recommended the plans be approved.

Planners said the character of the Grade II-listed building would be retained as no changes to the outside of it were proposed.

Environmental Health officers raised some concerns the new flat could be subject to noise and odour impacts from the existing restaurant, but after liaising with the planning agent the officers confirmed they had no objections to the application.

The property is a heritage asset and Grade II-listed.

The proposed new flat would be accessed via stairs currently used as a fire escape.

Under the plans, the internal access door to the restaurant would be blocked off, while two upstairs windows, which were blocked during it use as a function room, would be unblocked.

The flat would have an open plan kitchen, dining and living space.

The main bedroom would have an en suite bathroom while there would also be a separate bathroom and toilet.

The application was approved subject to conditions on a time limit for the works, waste and bicycle storage areas, parking and accordance with the approved plans.