The fate of a former seafront hotel at Cromer is still in the balance after a watershed meeting.Months of controversy have surrounded the future of the Bath House, where owners Barry and Anji Connell have dropped plans to turn it into a luxury boutique hotel and now aim to make it their home, with occasional bed and breakfast.

The fate of a former seafront hotel at Cromer - the Bath House - is still in the balance. Owners Barry and Anji Connell have dropped plans to turn it into a luxury boutique hotel and now aim to make it their home, with occasional bed and breakfast but North Norfolk District Council's east area development committee has decided the couple will now be asked to table a planning application for a change of use - though officers stressed that was no guarantee it would be granted.

Council planning, legal and enforcement manager Roger Howe said it was a 'difficult and controversial' issue.