An “eye-sore” boozer that has long been closed in Eltham is set to be reopened as officers back new plans.

Developers have been given the green light to split The Dutch House in Sidcup Road into a new pub and with a builders merchants next door.

The pub was granted extra protection from developers following controversial attempts by McDonald’s to turn the old building into a drive-through.

In 2014 the pub was granted special status as an asset of community value following a campaign, supported by MP Clive Efford, to stop fast-food companies swooping in.

The boozer was first eyed up by fast-food giants to turn it into a 24-hour McDonald’s drive-through but the application was refused after community outrage.

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Officers this week ticked off new plans put forward by FBM Enterprises to roughly halve the pub to have a builder merchant and yard next door.

The developer said the current size of the pub means it is no longer financially viable to run.

According to plans submitted by FBM Enterprises: “This proposal overcomes the previous reasons for refusal, as a community asset is retained in the form of a smaller pub restaurant, which will be much more viable than the previous larger pub.

“This will be much more of a local pub than the previous Harvester type of operation.”

Officers said: “It is noted that previous applications which have proposed the total loss of the existing pub have been refused on this basis.

“The proposal would also see the existing building, which is currently derelict, brought with the proposed use directly serving the local community.”