An historic pub in North Walsham's town centre is set to be converted into new shops and homes.

Plans have been lodged to convert the ground floor of The Feathers public house in Market Place into two shops and a one-bedroom flat.

And two other parts of the former premises around a courtyard at the back, which were formerly used for storage, will be converted into two two-bedroom maisonettes.

It comes as moves to regenerate the north Norfolk market town have hit a new tempo, with a branch of Specsavers soon to open in the former HSBC building and plans for a Costa cafe in the high street.

And an application from JD Wetherspoon to convert the former town hall in New Road into a pub is now expected within weeks, after the pubco met with the district council late last month.

There are already two flats on the first and second floors of the heritage-listed Feathers building.

In planning documents submitted to North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) by applicant Stuart Pilbrow, building surveyor Peter Cook said: 'The proposal will provide two small shop units (in a) historic part of the town to benefit the people of North Walsham. There is no designated off-street parking but there is plenty of parking available around the site.'

Mr Cook added: 'The design of the new flats and house will use locally sourced materials re-using salvaged materials from the proposed demolition.

'The new buildings will have a traditional design matching existing surrounding properties with no adverse overlooking.'

Mr Cook said in the application the courtyard would be re-laid with brick paviers and raised planting would be added, and it would become a communal area for the surrounding homes.

The Feathers closed in 2016 and it was once hoped the pub could have housed a heritage centre to showcase the town's history, but the idea proved too costly.The building is thought to be about 300 years old and includes a cellar, which some believe was once a police cell, with a tunnel connecting it to the King's Arms where courts were held.

The town's stocks used to be located outside the old pub.

The application can be viewed on the NNDC website at www.north-norfolk.gov.uk/section/planning by searching for LA/17/2012.