Planning permission has been granted to turn part of a takeaway in Stevenage High Street into a one-bed flat. 

Plans to partially change the use of the ground floor of Papa John's into a one-bed flat, while retaining the shop front, have been approved by Stevenage Borough Council.

The plans by Craft & Sons - a family run business specialising in the maintenance and restoration of listed and traditional buildings - also include repairing the exterior timberwork and painting it dark grey.

It comes after planning permission was refused for the takeaway unit to be turned into a two-bed flat.

Stevenage Old Town Business and Community Partnership objected to the development that has now been approved, saying that it "effectively removes a retail unit from the High Street by creating an untenable retail unit, and this would be seriously detrimental to the High Street".

The partnership says there is "no realistic prospect of attracting a tenant" because of the lack of provision of handwashing and toilet facilities in the proposed retail unit.

It continues: "With a future prospect of changes to the gyratory system that would reconnect the High Street, it is important to preserve the available retail units to enable the north end of the High Street to be returned to the retail hub and add to the vibrancy and prosperity of the High Street."

The Grade II-listed building currently occupied by pizza chain Papa John's was built in 1877 and is within a conservation area.

The design and access statement accompanying the planning application says: "The national policy states that generally the best way of securing the upkeep of historic buildings and areas to keep them in active use. The current commercial tenancy is coming to an end, with no extension plans in place."