One of Great Yarmouth's well known nightclubs is to be turned into flats, it has been confirmed.
Caesars Bar on Marine Parade, and the two floors above it, are to be converted into 16 flats after a planning bid by its owner Wray Austrin was approved by Great Yarmouth Borough Council's development control committee.
The nightclub and bar, which is above Caesars amusement arcade, is currently a popular haunt with locals and holidaymakers alike.
Borough council planning papers say the move from a night club and bar to new homes could boost Yarmouth's housing portfolio.
A document read by councillors on Wednesday night's committee said: 'The site has the potential to provide sea view residential accommodation which may help to improve the quality of the town's residential stock.'
Councillors were told however to weigh up meeting the borough's housing needs against the potential loss of a site that has a commercial/tourist use.
The site is identified as being within a prime commercial holiday area.
Mr Wray had also provided evidence the site was 'not viable as a commercial bar'.
The report added: 'The loss of a first floor use in this location is not deemed to be significantly detrimental to the seafront's commercial vitality.
'On balance the application will provide housing in a sustainable location without a significant adverse effect on the tourism offering.
'The loss of the first floor commercial use is not uncommon along Marine Parade and as such will remain in keeping with the character of the area.'
Another consideration looked at was would the flats be compatible with the 'likely noise generated from the area'.
No objections were sent into the council about the planning application by Mr Austrin and the bid had been recommended for approval to the committee by planning officers.
The overall building was once home to one of the borough's grandest hotels, Goode's, which fell into disrepair and lay derelict for years, suffering several fires.
It was re-opened as Caesars in 2001, with its revival being hailed as a vote of confidence in the seafront.
In 2013 another popular seafront haunt came to an end when The Long Bar was purchased by its neighbouring hotel operator.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here