Castle Rising: Chalet could be replaced by four new cottages

One is a stunning, ruined 12th century castle which is among the UK's most important heritage sites.

The other is a 1960s chalet, built in the castle's shadow and now condemned as an example of "poor" architecture at odds with its historic surroundings.

Now, the Castle Rising Estate - which is responsible for both the castle itself and the much-maligned chalet - is seeking permission to demolish the modern home, which it says detracts from its beautiful setting.

The estate has put in an application to knock down the building, called Flintstones, and replace it with four new cottages more in keeping with the rest of the village, near King's Lynn.

Its planning statement says: "The existing dwelling is an unremarkable chalet-type house of late ‘60s to early ’70s construction built largely of brick with small panels of decorative flintwork beneath a steep pitched main roof of concrete interlocking tiles and sections of flat, bituminous felt roof.

"Occupying a prominent location fronting traffic on the one-way bend of Lynn Road, the house represents an aging and poor example of late 20th century architecture and is at odds with the wider vernacular seen within the village."

The 1970s property next to Castle Rising Castle which could be demolished (Image: Google)

The estate hopes to replace the property with two pairs of "traditionally styled" three-bedroom cottages, incorporating decorative brick and carrstone and "feature chimneys".

The new buildings would be visible from the Grade II listed castle.

The planning statement adds they would offer "a sympathetic opportunity to develop the site" and remove "an ageing and arguably detrimental structure".

It goes on: "While the proposed dwellings will change the view from the castle ramparts, this change in outlook is thought to be wholly beneficial to its setting and the wider conservation area.

"The development removes an example of poor late 20th century architecture and replaces it with dwellings that are commensurate in scale and design as the historic, original properties within the village."

English Heritage describes the castle, owned by Lord Howard of Rising, as "one of the largest, best preserved and most lavishly decorated keeps in England, surrounded by 20 acres of mighty earthworks".

It was built in the middle of the 12th Century by the Norman lord William d'Albini.

A decision on the fate of Flintstones is expected from West Norfolk council later this year.