Major plans to transform Diss Mere by building a floating island and boardwalk and creating a garden and viewing platform have been lodged.

Diss Town Council has submitted a planning application to transform part of the Mere by the council's offices to make it what it calls an 'enticing feature'.

The plans have been lodged with South Norfolk Council and are part of the Diss Heritage Triangle project which has received major Heritage Lottery Fund funding,

In the plans are a Mere viewing platform and access footpath from Market Hill, a wildlife and historic plant garden with a glow path, a two-section boardwalk with entry pavilions and a natural habitat wet garden, a floating viewing isle and a Mere history sculpture and display.

A planning statement says: 'A grand new vista of the Mere will be opened from a viewing platform behind the town offices accessed through the council offices' car park and a new public open space created, a garden, in the neglected triangle of land steeply leading down to the Mere edge.

'The natural landscape and planting of the Mere will be available for close study and enjoyment in and from a display pavilion and boardwalk connecting to the ends of Hale's Yard and King's Head Yard, with links back to Mere Street.

'The proposal creates a new pedestrian circuit by linking with the existing pedestrian network, adds to local identity, encourages pedestrian movement through the upper town centre, provides view corridors across the Mere and creates an enticing feature when seen from Mere Park.

'It will become a town asset and town feature.'

In September the Diss Heritage Partnership was given £1.6m of lottery funding for improvements to the Heritage Triangle which includes work to the Corn Hall, St Nicholas Street and Market Hill.