Plans to turn a Greenside boozer into a nursery have been given the go-ahead despite anger from locals who say part of the village's history is being lost.
More than three hundred people have signed a petition to save the Pack Horse Inn, but applicant Lorraine Richardson said the Lead Road premises is no longer viable as a pub.
The objectors were backed by their ward councillor Helen Haran who said there had been offers from people who wanted to continue running the pub.
Coun Haran is not a member of the planning committee and has no voting rights but attended Wednesday's meeting to speak against the plans.
"This is a crucial application for the village of Greenside, and there is an opportunity this evening to protect part of the area's history that has existed for at least 400 years," she said.
"There were several substantial offers made to keep the building as a pub."
Greenside resident Ms Fitzpatrick said that five generations of her family had used the pub and raised road safety fears.
She said: "They plan to include three parking spaces but there is only room for two.
"The spaces are only going to be accessible via a single track lane which is the only access for 70 properties."
Mrs Richardson hit back and said the objections were "fuelled by lack of knowledge", and that her and her husband were the latest in a string of tenants who had tried to make the pub work, but couldn't due to lack of custom.
She said: "The objections are fuelled by lack of knowledge and rumour, but we have support.
"Since 2011 the pub has had eight tenants with only two of those staying for more than two months. Customers and sales have dwindled for the last nine years."
Mrs Richardson also told the committee that there is three other licensed premises in the village.
She added: "I've had a positive response that shows the need for child care in Greenside, the council's children's services department visited and said the facilities were ideal."
Gateshead Council's planning committee voted to approve the application.
