A “crazy” vision to breathe new life into a derelict 200-year-old pub has been given the green light.

The “higgledy piggledy” Quart in a Pint Pot pub in Charlotte Square, Margate, will be transformed by owner Tom Gidley, who bought it last July.

The boozer closed its doors in 2021, marking the end of an almost 200-year era.

Now, the front will be overhauled into a community space and the rest will become a four-bedroom home and painting studio.

Artist Mr Gidley previously told KentOnline: “Primarily it’s a home for me and my wife; it’s a workspace for both of us.

“But at the front there will be a dedicated space for art exhibitions and projects, working mostly with local artists.

“I very much want there to be an ongoing engagement.”

Constructed in the early 1800s, the first known use of the building as a tavern - then named The George and Dragon - was in 1839.

Later, a turret-like folly and flagpole were built on the roof, giving it a castle-like appearance.

It was once owned by the Thorley Tavern empire, before being sold and closing in the wake of the landlord’s death.

Mr Gidley, 54, explained: “I must admit I viewed the building a few times before I made the offer because it’s in such disrepair; it’s such a higgledy-piggledy building.

“I couldn’t get my head round it. I thought it was crazy, maybe impossible, but I changed my mind and I’m glad we did.

“The more I look at it and the more we work on it the more I realise what a fantastic space it is.”

Having bought the building for £350,000, Mr Gidley believes costs could ramp up a further £200,000 with a finished project next spring.

He believes pubs are “not going to come back” and fresh approaches need to be taken for their preservation.

“Pubs are gone, pubs are disappearing and they’re not going to come back so you have to be realistic about the future of buildings like this,” he said.

On approving the plans, conservation officers from Thanet District Council said: “The applicant has considered the building's listed status within all the reinstatement, repairs and removal works involved in returning the building from its current, long-neglected state to full use.

“The proposed works are considered essential to the preservation of the building's remaining original materials and features for the future.”