Is it the end of the line for the Railway pub?

Last orders could have been called at the Railway pub in Foxhall Road – one of the best-known music pubs in Ipswich.

The pub’s moment of glory came in April 1999 when it was chosen as one of a limited number of pubs across the country to host a concert by legendary rockers Status Quo.

But it has also been a popular venue for scores of local bands over the years, and in its heyday attracted hundreds of music lovers every weekend.

However, it has been closed since November 2013, and it is understood that its owners are considering converting it into a shop, flats, or both.

A planning application to build seven new houses at the back of the pub is being considered by the borough’s planning and development committee today.

The report into the application by council planning officers says: “The vacant public house is a locally listed building and whilst its established use is as a public house, its future is uncertain.”

It also says: “An indicative plan has been submitted with the application which suggests a future mixed retail and residential use for the public house. However, this would need to be subject to a separate application for planning permission.”

The current application, which has been put forward by Ipswich-based SEH Developments Ltd, has been recommended for approval.

The houses would be “traditional” in terms of their appearance and would be constructed using red bricks and concrete tiles, which the application states would “enhance the character and appearance of the surrounding area”.

A spokesman for the borough said planning officials were not able to comment on applications that had not been formally submitted – but the information about the future of the pub had been included in the background to the planning application for the car park development.