A PLAN to build 27 flats in Evesham town centre was given the go ahead by councillors.

The plan by housing association Rooftop Housing to build the flats on the corner of Swan Lane and Rynal Street would see a number of empty buildings demolished to make way for the social rent flats.

The two-and-three-storey buildings to house the mix of one-and-two-bed flats would replace the empty buildings which have been vacant for a number of years.

Wychavon District Council’s planning committee approved the plan at a meeting last Thursday (April 30) by ten votes to five.

A plan by Rooftop Housing to build 36 flats on the same site was withdrawn last year 18 months after it was put forward.

Neighbours had raised concerns about the size and height of the building as well as traffic and congestion.

Evesham Town Council welcomed the plan saying it would "vastly improve" a vacant site.