TOWN councillors have agreed to raise no objection to the former top Marlborough restaurant Moran's being turned into living accommodation for its owners Steve and Della Moran.

The couple closed the popular restaurant they live over in London Road when it was discovered Mrs Moran had cancer. Following her recovery, they decided to concentrate on their outside catering business and not re-open the restaurant.

On Monday members of the town council's planning committee decided by seven votes to two to raise no objection to Mr and Mrs Moran's plans to convert the ground floor into living accommodation.

Coun David Watson expressed regret at the loss of a business in a part of the town where he said he would like to see more new businesses encouraged. He said: "I do believe the commercial health of this town needs a wider spread of commercial type properties."

Coun Watson said the availability of commercial and retail premises away from the High Street helped keep down 'the outrageous prices' charged for property in the town centre.

Coun Ian Perryman said that while he sympathised with Mr and Mrs Moran's reasons for wanting the change, he preferred London Road to retain what he described as a healthy mix of residential and commercial premises.

However Coun Hilary Cripps said the council would be hypocritical to insist on retaining the building for commercial use when parking in the road was about to be reduced by another two spaces because of the entrance to the Kelham Gardens development.

Mayor Maurice Cooper said the town council had objected to the loss of further parking spaces along the stretch of road where there are a number of businesses.