PROPOSALS to resurrect a Suffolk village pub have been given the go-ahead.

A bid to reopen The Foresters Arms in Chelmondiston as a real ale hostelry was approved by Babergh District Council.

The applicant, Mr M. Frankland, asked for permission to refurbish the bar area, convert the upper floor into three flats and offer a limited menu to compliment the 50 or so real ales he intends to put on.

There have been other bids to develop the pub since it shut four years ago.

In January 2011, an appeal was rejected over plans to convert the pub into three homes. In documents relating to the latest application, Babergh District Council said the appeal was refused because of the absence of a financial contribution to public open space facilities.

David Cordle, chairman of Chelmondiston Parish Council, speaking before the application was approved, said: “In principle I support it – better that than sitting there degenerating, it’s very sad to see. I go past it regularly and I say ‘what a shame nothing is being done to it’.”

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