Plans to convert a redundant Victorian water tower in Diss into flats have gained approval two years after the initial proposals were submitted.

AWG Landholdings Ltd intends to build two maisonettes within the historic structure in Louies Lane and construct three four-bedroom houses in its grounds.

The original scheme, which included one detached and four semi-detached dwellings, was refused and then dismissed at appeal in 2009. A similar application followed last year but this was withdrawn when officers recommended the plans for refusal.

On Wednesday, updated proposals were presented to South Norfolk Council's planning committee which were backed by officers and unanimously approved by councillors.

Officers said the new plans had addressed previous concerns which had centred around the scale of the development, its layout and potential impact on neighbours.

However two local residents had maintained their objections to the latest application with fears regarding loss of privacy and aspect, increases in noise pollution and the effect on wildlife, although one resident had also written in general support of the updated scheme.

Councillor Bev Spratt said: 'I think it's a fantastic building. I like the design, it's very Victorian, and it's good to see those features in market towns being developed. I think it's a lovely idea.'