A housing developer has been given the go-ahead to start rebuilding part of The Maltings in Abingdon.

Berkeley Homes, which developed the old Morland brewery site into luxury homes, had applied for permission to demolish the existing three-storey stair tower and entrance and build a new frontage and spiral staircase fire escape.

Abingdon Town Council was unhappy with the proposal and called on the planning authority -- the Vale of White Horse District Council -- to refuse permission because it would be "out of character with the rest of the building".

But the district council has approved the plan. The authority did, however, request further talks with the developers about the brickwork to be used and the new spiral staircase which should be painted black to "complement the industrial character of the building".

The Maltings, which is to be converted into 31 flats, is not a listed building and is outside the town centre conservation area but the council regards it as a "distinguished building".

The buildings proposed to be demolished are modern additions and it is hoped their removal will help restore The Maltings to its original form.