The former Mill Wheel pub in Billing Brook Road, Lumbertubs, had its asking price slashed from £150,000 to £20,000 in September as the building would not sell because of its bad reputation.

But at the end of last year, Councillor Iftikhar Choudary (Lab, St Crispin) announced his family had bought the site and planned to convert it into a community centre and restaurant, which would also have a separate hairdressers and taxi office inside the building.

And during a meeting of Northampton Borough Council's planning committee this week, his fellow councillors backed the scheme after hearing overwhelming support from the community.

Councillor Dennis Meredith (Lib Dem, Thorplands) said: "I used to live in this area and used the pub quite regularly in its early days.

"So I'm really pleased it's going to be turned into a community centre and at long last there's going to be a hairdressers in the area, because that is something that's really needed around here.

"The outside of the building is pretty untidy now though, so I hope that can be improved, but I'm delighted with these plans."

He was backed by Councillor Jamie Lane (Con, Ecton Brook), who said the scheme would improve the area, adding: "I think it's great that this building is going to be put back to a good use."

The scheme was passed unanimously by the planning committee.