Plans to turn the historic Old War Office in Whitehall in central London into a five-star hotel and apartments has gained planning approval.

The former headquarters of the British army are located at the junction of Horse Guards Avenue and Whitehall.

Plans for the Grade II-listed building include the construction of a double-height basement with three new floors added on top of the building.

Part of the building will be set aside for 88 luxury flats of one to five bedrooms. A new 25m swimming pool plus a ballroom will be built in the new basement below the existing central quadrangle.

Westminster City Council granted planning permission for the owners to redevelop property on the condition that the historic character of the 1000 room Edwardian building is not lost.

Planning is also conditional on offering public access to historically significant parts of the building at least 10 days each year.