Norwich: Orlando restaurant appealing B&B expansion

Orlando Williams, owner of the controversial Orlando’s bed and breakfast, applied for a two-storey rear extension to his property but was rebuffed by Norwich City Council in early 2022. 

Now, Mr Williams is appealing to the government’s Planning Inspectorate to get the decision overturned. 

Orlando Williams (Image: Archant Norfolk Copyright)

Since 2019, the B&B owner has been involved in an extraordinary battle with Norwich City Council over whether he has been running an illegitimate restaurant from his property on Earlham Road.

It is something Mr Williams has previously denied despite people reporting being served meals at the premises. 

The extension would provide space for two extra bedrooms as well as additional seating and dining space. 

READ MORE: ‘I haven’t turned my house into a Japanese restaurant’, Norwich man claims

The plans submitted to the council show an expanded dining room, as well as a separate breakfast area and two seating areas, as well as two extra bedrooms  

Planning officials did not raise the property’s restaurant use as a reason for their rejection of the application.  

However, it was mentioned in their supporting evidence in the appeal as part of the information present to inspectors. 

The planning officer’s 2022 rejection said: “It is considered that this increased occupancy and intensity of use internally and externally would be out of character in this suburban residential area and the resulting noise, disturbance and activity would be unacceptably harmful to the amenity of adjoining occupiers.” 

Orlando's (Image: Denise Bradley/Archant 2022)

But Mr Williams and his architect are arguing to inspectors that City Hall has treated the application “unjustly”, with surrounding buildings having a similar design. 

They also argue that there are other B&Bs in the area, the site with the next door property was given approval in 2015 to be turned into a much larger guesthouse and the increase in guests would not cause harm to the area. 

READ MORE: 'No evidence' that home is a Japanese restaurant, council probe finds

“The proposed scheme was not for a grand or overstated extension as previously demonstrated, but a modest addition with the sole purpose of increasing accommodation to provide a local service and further income to the appellant due to rising running costs and the ongoing cost of living crisis,” they said.  

Mr Williams declined to comment. 

Japanese restaurant 

While Mr Williams has previously denied operating an eatery from the premises - which is adorned with signage for 'Orlando's' - diners have reported eating there, prompting the council to launch an inquiry. 

Food served at Orlando's (Image: George Thompson, LDRS)

The council closed an investigation in 2020 saying there was no "definitive evidence" of a restaurant being run at the site. 

But Mr Williams has repeatedly shared posts on his Facebook page saying he was opening a “sushi and Japanese restaurant” at the Earlham Road site, most recently on January 29, 2023. 

Last year the council said it will not take any further action unless the business is "causing harm". 

Mr Williams’ bed and breakfast has all the necessary planning permissions. 

But under the terms of its operation, the business cannot serve food to people who are not staying at the premises.  Non-guests have previously reported eating at the site.