A DECISION to berth a historic lightship at Harwich Quay has been given the thumbs up.

Tendring Council’s scrutiny committee sat behind closed doors on Monday night to approve the plans for the LV18, which hung on the chairman’s casting vote.

Some councillors had decided to call in the decision arguing the Ha’Penny Pier was not the right site for the last manned light vessel.

But the meeting’s decision means the ship will be berthed at the spot as a maritime attraction.

The Pharos Trust, which owns the vessel, hopes it could be open to the public from next spring.

Tendring Council voted in February the LV18 should not be berthed at the pier.

But private talks between the council and The Pharos Trust put the project back on the agenda.

The trust is hoping to have the attraction open at the latest by next summer.