An MP is calling on a council to "do the right thing" and protect a village pub after plans were submitted to turn the building into a home.
Dr Dan Poulter, who represents Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, is appealing to East Suffolk Council to use its powers to stop the Queen at Brandeston being converted.
The applicants behind the scheme previously said the pub is "not a viable business" and has made losses in the recent years it has been open.
Dr Poulter said: “I was responsible for voting through parliament changes in the law to give councils strong powers to protect pubs and other assets of community value.
READ MORE: Suffolk pop-up to return after Queen at Brandeston closed
"As we saw recently in Framlingham, East Suffolk Council has a history of giving the green light to inappropriate housing development.
"But in this case, the council should do the right thing and use its powers to protect the Brandeston Queen as a pub and important community asset for local residents.”
Earlier this week, the EADT reported how the plans had received almost 250 objections on the council's planning portal.
READ MORE: Council's 'concerned' Queen pub at Brandeston still closed
Villages also unanimously rejected the proposals at the annual parish meeting in January.
John Spacey, clerk of Brandeston Parish Council, said: "On behalf of villagers, the parish council made a strong objection to district against the application, supported by over 200 residents, our local MP and representative of Brandeston School and the parish church.
"We await the decision of the district planning department."
READ MORE: Framlingham news
The parish council has previously said the pub could be a successful business, attracting both villagers and people from further afield, including Woodbridge and Framlingham.
The pub has remained shut since November 2022 and concerned residents have set up a monthly pop-up pub, called the Churchill Arms, in the village hall.
An East Suffolk Council spokesman said: “As the planning authority, East Suffolk Council will always rigorously consider applications which may result in the loss of public houses in communities and recognises the concerns that have been raised by Dr Poulter and others.
"Once the period for public comment has concluded, the application will be carefully assessed against the relevant planning policies and all comments received from the public, including Dr Poulter’s, will be considered.
"The process to determine the application will then be confirmed."
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