A NEW micro brewery has been given the go-ahead to open up in Southampton.

The Crafty Fox, on Portswood Road, will take over the premises previously used by Costa.

It will specialise in selling craft beers in a “warm and friendly atmosphere”.

Members of Southampton City Council’s planning committee agreed to grant the change of use licence at a meeting on Thursday night (May 10).

Nevertheless, the applicant, Mr N Davis, agreed to change opening times from 7am – which would have seen staff come in to prepare – to 12 noon, with a closing time of midnight.

Although, despite Mr Davis pointing out in the application that patrons would not have been let in until 11am, the change was still enforced.

Some locals did, however, object to the plans, citing increased noise and overdevelopment of the area.

Dr Richard Buckle, of Highfield, also noted that the brewery would lead to a “marked increase in noise and rowdiness” which would “affect local residents”.

He added: “There are already over 25 licenced premises including two pubs within and two immediately outside Portswood District Centre, making it the highest concentration of licenced premises outside the city centre.

“There is no need for an additional drinking venue.” Nevertheless, those in favour noted that micro breweries were different to pubs, as they are about experience and the quality of the product, rather than cheap alcohol that may promote excessive drinking.