Plans have been put forward to turn a former furniture business in North Walsham into a tea room and bed and breakfast facility.

The proposals for Melbourne House in Bacton Road, a grade II listed building, previously housing furniture business Eric Bates and Sons, have been submitted to North Norfolk District Council and are currently under consultation.

The plan is to change the sitting room to a tea room, the seven bedrooms to bed and breakfast accommodation and two front rooms into conference/ function rooms.

A planning report submitted with the application states; 'The proposal is not to change any features of the house or alter the building in any way.

'It is to restore the building to good repair, by decorating, re-carpeting, and general maintenance to bring the building back to the condition it should be.

'Landscaping, driveways and extensive gardens and courtyards are already in place and will remain the same.'

The plan is for vehicle access through two large private driveways, which are big enough to take heavy goods vehicles, and which lead to two courtyards, again with enough room for parking and turning.

The report states: 'Traffic will not be as substantial as the previous use of the property, which was a commercial enterprise for reproduction furniture manufacture and distribution.'