Tourists in Norfolk may have a new hot spot as plans to build a hotel in a market town have been submitted.

Eastern Daily Press: The Thatchers Neddle in Diss. Picture: Marc BettsThe Thatchers Neddle in Diss. Picture: Marc Betts (Image: Archant)

Plans from the national hotel and pub chain Marston's to build a 27 room hotel and five retail units on Park Road, Diss, behind The Thatchers Needle pub, have been submitted to South Norfolk Council.

The hotel would be two storeys with a pitched roof. The 27 en-suite rooms would be split across both floors and fitted with disabled access.

In total, 153 car parking spaces would be created for the hotel, retail units and The Thatchers Needle along with 20 cycle spaces. This is an increase from the current 71 spaces.

The plans have been welcomed by Diss, South Norfolk, and County councillor, Keith Kiddie.

Eastern Daily Press: The Thatchers Neddle in Diss. Picture: Marc BettsThe Thatchers Neddle in Diss. Picture: Marc Betts (Image: Archant)

He said: 'I think Diss would benefit massively from having a hotel, it is a perfect little market town. When you look at the location it is in the central point of East Anglia. An hour from Cambridge, Lowestoft, and the Norfolk beaches, but we have hardly anywhere for people to stay.

'Diss itself may not be a tourist destination but it is the ideal place to stream off with the number of walking routes but in and around Diss there is not very much accommodation. To my knowledge, there is not another hotel until Thetford or Norwich.

'People want to come and explore Diss but they have little choice of where to go.'

The hotel would be located behind Diss Bus Station with the retail units located at the back of the land facing away from the electricity supply station.

Although the plans for five units have been put forward, no stores have been identified, but one space is expected to be primarily used for food sales.

In 2011 plans to build a 60 bedroom hotel, restaurant and parking were approved but later abandoned. Following plans were submitted and approved for The Thatchers Needle which opened in October 2013.

Marston's PLC is a national provider of pubs operating at 2,000 locations around the country and have been in business for more than 180 years.