A bid to revamp a historic village pub and create holiday lets next door looks set for approval despite facing opposition from locals.
West Acre Estate, which is in the midst of a major project to rewild vast swathes of land surrounding the hamlet, hopes to make improvements to the Stag Inn and neighbouring Ford Cottage in Low Road.
It is hoped this will help boost the tourism offer in the rural community as part of the scheme for the Nar Valley Way through creating four self-catered holiday lets.
It is a scaled-back version of plans for the site, which initially also included creating a cafe and farm shop within the cottage.
READ MORE: Plans revealed to create huge rewilding project around Norfolk village
But there continues to be opposition from locals, including the parish council.
Members are generally in support of improvements to the pub - which is much-valued by locals - but there are concerns that the increase in pedestrians and traffic along the narrow village lanes could lead to safety issues.
They also fear that recent developments at the pub have alienated some customers and they are eager that this project would avoid further loss of support from the local community.
READ MORE: Norfolk solicitor's battle over Nar Valley Way barricade
READ MORE: How Norfolk's 'most unruly village' has left parish council besieged by complaints
Historic Environment officers have also raised fears the proposals could affect potential heritage assets yet to be found at the site, which has previously produced Roman and Saxon discoveries and have requested archaeological surveys be carried out.
Previous construction work at the pub has also provoked the ire of environmentalists, and was even reported to Norfolk police following fears bats roosting in the pub may have been disturbed, but no evidence of harm was found.
Despite the local objections, West Norfolk Council officers believe there is a significant public interest in the project, which will renovate deteriorating buildings and create new business opportunities in the village.
Officers have recommended the scheme is approved with a number of conditions and West Norfolk councillors will make a decision next week.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here