A PUB chain has been given the green light today to move into a Grade-II listed building.

The Corn Exchange in Abbeygate Street, Bury St Edmunds, will become a J D Wetherspoon pub and eating establishment.

There had been considerable objection about the plans, with concerns including that nearby residents’ quality of life would be affected by noise and disturbance.

The decision was made at a meeting of St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s development control committee, with 12 councillors voting for, three voting against and one abstention.

They approved a planning application for change of use of the first floor and part of the ground floor from public hall to drinking establishment, as well as listed building and advertisement applications.

Previously the listed building and advertisement applications had been recommended for refusal by officers, but J D Wetherspoon had since made alterations to proposed signage which satisfied them.

The approvals are subject to a number of conditions, including that the opening hours are Sunday to Thursday from 7am to 11pm and Friday and Saturday from 7am to midnight.