CONCERNS have been raised over turning an historic Harwich pub into homes.

The Billy had been trading for 256 years before its licence was revoked in 2009, and since then it has been standing vacant.

Plans have now been put forward to convert the Grade II listed building, in West Street, into three houses. A report in support of the application sent to Tendring Council said the empty pub is deteriorating, particularly at the back, with water damage causing increasing problems.

It said: “The building clearly comprises two distinct houses, with two front doors and differing threshold levels, eaves heights, roof pitches and roof materials.

“When the pub was known as the William the Fourth in 1987, the larger house was the public house, and the smaller house was rented out to a shoemaker.”

But Richard Oxborrow, of the Historic Harwich Pub Trail, said it would be a shame for the community to lose the historic building.

He said: “It’s an historic pub and there will be lots of people who will be sad to hear that it could be turned into houses.

“The town has always had a firm history of having a mix of different pubs, so losing another historic building is not to be taken lightly and is a shame.

“Once we have lost a pub, it’s gone forever.

“If you look at the Billy, it could be a great tourist attraction because of its history.”