Revised plan submitted for former Downham Market hotel

Amendments have been proposed to the planned development of flats at a former Downham hotel.

Planning permission for the conversion of the old Castle Hotel, on High Street, was granted by West Norfolk Council earlier this year , despite the town council opposing it .

The scheme allowed for eight homes, of which six are flats proposed within the Grade II listed building.

But now, listed building consent is being sought for revised proposals which, if they are approved, would allow for the building's cellars to be used as part of the development.

Documents submitted as part of the new application argued it was a "viable use" of the space.

They added: "The conversion of the hotel to residential use has been accepted and the revised proposal is a modest alteration to ensure the full use of the building without any increase in the number of apartments proposed.

"It causes no more harm than the approved scheme and that low level of ‘less than substantial’ harm has been accepted."

Borough planning officials have indicated they hope to make a decision on the new application by the beginning of December.