The fate of the Bittern Pub in Southampton is in the hands of a planning inspector with a decision expected within the next few weeks

The fate of the Bittern Pub now lies in the hands of a planning inspector who is considering an appeal to develop it into a McDonalds.

• The Bittern pub through the ages - in pictures >>

Yesterday inspector Lloyd Rodgers drew to a close a two day public inquiry featuring evidence from campaigners, regulators and lawyers representing faswt food giant.

McDonalds wants to turn it into a 24-hour two-storey restaurant and drive through.

But pub staff and locals are fighting to protect the Thornhill Park Road boozer they say is a “community asset” providing a service for people of all ages.

Yesterday they erupted into fits of ironic laughter after a planning consultant representing the fast food chain claimed that the loss of a pub would not reduce a lack of community spirit.

Matthew Carpenter said: "McDonalds do have a role in the community. I was in a restaurant two weeks ago and was chatting to staff who were getting married in there and had met in there. They were in the community and have a positive role to play."

He also claimed there were other sufficient pubs within walking distance including the Hinkler, Hare & Hounds and the Royal British Legion Club.

Campaigners outside the Civic Centre

But Bittern staff denied the restaurant could support large community events such charity days and funerals and employee told the inquiry: “This is where the Bittern comes into its own.”

They also questioned whether the British Legion Club is fully open to the public or a private club.

Previously the inquiry has heard how estimates show a new McDonald's restaurant would cost £801,000 to build while other surveys by various firms estimated that the cost of repairs bringing the building up to a reasonable standard as a pub would be around £273,000.

In the closing statements Southampton City Council lawyer Richard Clarke stressed the pub is a valuable facility benefitting people of all ages, echoing views it is “like a church”.

He said increased vehicle movements at the site would increase traffic problems and risk of accidents, adding: “The views of local residents who know the area and its problems should be given the right.”

But James Pereira QC for McDonalds denied it would create traffic problems and doubted anyone readily had funds to renovate the building as an alternative.

Claiming the restaurant is a “sustainable development” creating new jobs, he said: “It's the people that make a place.

"While it's natural to want to hang on something familiar and fear change there's a reason to be confident that the community spirit by the Bittern regulars can and will continue elsewhere."

Planning chiefs at the city could previously threw out the plans but the company launched an appeal leading to the inquiry.

The results are expected to be announced in coming months.