Permission has finally been granted to knock down the former Shannocks Hotel in Sheringham to make way for a new development.
North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) has granted approval for the seafront building - which is more than 100 years old and has stood empty for over a decade - to be demolished.
And Beeston Regis-based developer Huddies Ltd is to construct a new four-storey building in its place, which will include a mix of retail, restaurant and residential units.
A spokesman from the developer said: 'Huddies Ltd is very pleased to have received its grant of planning permission for the redevelopment of the former Shannocks today, and it looks forward to transforming its vision into a reality, and realising the long-term benefits to local people and the town that are offered by its redevelopment.
MORE: Sheringham hotel redevelopment plans will 'improve' seafront'The plans comprise a vibrant mixed-use development, which will positively enhance the conservation area and provide a lively and animated focus at the heart of Sheringham's seafront, as well as providing much needed accommodation in the town and enhancing its commercial viability.'
NNDC had lodged its own plans to demolish the former hotel and redevelop it along with the neighbouring Chequers public car park.
The council had even committed almost £500,000 of their budget to the compulsory purchase of the site, which had been bought by Huddies out of receivership.
But Sheringham Town Council objected to this approach and David Gooch, town mayor, said he was pleased the Huddies plan was going ahead instead.
MORE: Decision on demolishing former Shannocks hotel in Sheringham deferred
Mr Gooch said: 'We are definitely in favour of redevelopment of the site. The town council opinion was that we preferred the Huddies plan over and above the NNDC plan because it didn't lose the Chequers car park.'
The new building will include three ground-floor retail units, a first-floor restaurant and three two-bedroom and three one-bedroom apartments on the upper floors.
Council says compulsory purchase plans are still on the table
A spokesman for North Norfolk District Council said the site could still face a compulsory purchase order if Huddies failed to act on its plans quickly enough.
An NNDC spokesman said: 'The council remains determined to see positive action which would see the removal of the Shannocks eyesore from the centre of Sheringham and enable regeneration of the surrounding area.
'The owner's planning application has been approved and we look forward to positive progress being made by them as soon as possible.
'If for any reason the owner's plans are not delivered within a reasonable time, NNDC is committed to securing redevelopment itself via a compulsory purchase of the site and through implementing a separate planning application made by NNDC for the same site and adjoining car park, which will be considered in the very near future at a development committee meeting.'
The Huddies spokesman said: 'Huddies Ltd has consistently expressed its concerns that public money is being wasted by NNDC pursuing its parallel proposals as a purely academic exercise.
'To date, over £41,000 of ratepayers' money has been spent and the company hopes that this grant of planning permission will bring this wasteful spending to an end.'
What do you think of the plans? Email your views to stuart.anderson@archant.co.uk
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