PLANS to demolish a Hampshire pub and replace it with eco-friendly housing have been given the go-ahead.

Civic chiefs have approved proposals to redevelop land currently occupied by The Players, which closed fours years ago and has been branded an eyesore by people living near the site in Water Lane, Totton.

The Wellington Pub Company has been given planning permission to replace the pub with six homes that would boast zero-carbon technology.

One of the locals who commented on the application said the site had been an eyesore for some time.

He added: "The building and gardens have become a danger, especially with the high winds we are now experiencing. Many of the fences have been blown over, some of which have ended up in the road."

The scheme has been approved by New Forest District Council.

A report to members said the pub used to be an important local facility but closed in February 2017.

It added: "The vacant building, with boarded-up windows and missing timber panels, exposing an outbuilding that appears to be in a state of disrepair, does not contribute positively to the character and appearance of the area.

"The frontage of the site is open, making the extensive hard-surfacing and

unmaintained shrubs visually prominent."

The report said the new homes would be set back from the road and soft landscaping would maintain the "verdant and open feel" of the area.

The planning application said the four three-bedroom homes and two two-bedroom properties would be equipped with what it described as zero-emission boilers.

The application claimed the technology increased a property's energy efficiency "above and beyond" building regulations.

"It's this type of solution that will be essential to meeting current and future policies in respect of energy efficiency/carbon reduction and meeting the requirements of the upcoming Future Homes Standards," it said.

"This technology is much more efficient than gas and electric boilers and has numerous advantages."

The mock-Tudor pub occupies a large site at the junction of Water Lane, Northlands Road and Hammonds Green.

After it closed unsuccessful attempts were made to find a new landlord.

Speaking last year a Wellington spokesperson said none of the applicants "had sufficient funds and experience".

He added: “We only marketed The Players as a pub and turned down other alternative offers, such as a car hire firm which was interested.”