A PUB has been given a boost with just a week to go before councillors could end its 145-year history.

Developers have failed in their bid to deprive the Rose Hill Tavern of its status as an asset of community value (ACV).

But in a mixed week for campaigners Brighton and Hove City Council planning officers have advised councillors to grant permission for plans to transform the pub into two three-bedroom flats.

The pub in Rose Hill Terrace closed in May last year after developers Evenden Estates bought the site from Enterprise Inns.

But campaigners gained ACV status, giving it more protection against development.

The developers Evenden Estates appealed against the ACV ruling but judge Peter Lane has found in the campaigners’ favour.

Mr Lane had heard the pub had seen beer sales drop by 80% between 2004 and 2013.

He said: “If planning permission should be refused for conversion to residential use, it is plainly not unrealistic to assume that Evenden would look to do something with the Rose Hill Tavern.

“At that point, putting it on the market – whether as a pub or for some other currently-permitted use that would further social wellbeing/interests – is, I find, far from being fanciful.”

Twenty-five letters opposing the loss of the pub claim that it could be successfully run as a co-operative with new customers drawn from the nearby Open Market and old Co-op redevelopment.

But one family living next to the pub support the application saying they had to endure loud music, fights and foul language from the pub for a number of years.

Council heritage officers say the loss of the historic pub is “extremely regrettable” but development would create opportunity to improve the appearance of the building.

Planning officers have given hope to campaigners by confirming the ACV status as a “material planning consideration of some weight” which councillors will have to bear in mind when they vote next week.

Richard James, chairman of the Rose Hill Tavern Action Group said: “The real battle is next Wednesday though, as today’s news will count for nothing if the local elected councillors decide that just because they agreed it has community value as a pub last year, doesn’t mean that they won’t let it be turned into flats later this year.”

Joanne Harris, of Evenden Estates, said: “The judge was working within the confines of the Localism Act and how it’s worded so that is the situation as it stands.

“We are working with the fact that there is a massive housing shortage in Brighton, not a massive shortage of pubs.

“I don’t know what impact the ruling will have on the planning committee but I’m happy to hear that planning officers are supporting our application.”