A former pub, which was such a landmark in Highworth that it has given its name to the roundabout next to it, will be converted into flats and houses.

Arkells Brewery has been given permission to convert the former Fox Inn, on the corner of Swindon Street and Brewery Street and the Fox roundabout in the town into five flats and to knock down the more modern porch extension to its side, where two terraced houses will be built.

Although the site was used as a pub as far back as 1862, it closed a little over five years ago and is now used as offices on the ground floor, with flats on the upper floor.

Arkells' application says the pub is at the southern boundary of the Highworth conservation area and: "the approach to the scheme has emphasised the retention and enhancement of the positive elements of the site to sustain the character and appearance of Highworth."

One element which will not be retained is the late 20th century porch entrance to the building, which is described in the application as: "squat" and "anomalous and inconsistent" with the street scene.

The older pub building will be extended at the back of the site and converted into five apartments, four with one bedroom, and one, split between the ground and first floor, with two.

The space where the modern extension is now and the entrance to the car park at the back will be used for the two two-bedroom houses, filling in the gap between the pub and the next buildings.

Access to the 12 car parking spaces allocated to the homes in the plans will be from Brewery Street which forms the southern border of the site.

Highworth Town Council said: "The exit onto Brewery Street, particularly turning right, is extremely dangerous. Councillors wished to offer the suggestion that vehicles leaving the car park be restricted to only turning left out of the property and some engineering or other device be stipulated to ensure that this happens."