Plattens chip shop in Wells' Airbnb bid appeal lodged

Platten's in Wells-next-the-Sea had lodged a bid to change the first floor of the restaurant into a holiday let in March this year.

But the firm's bosses have been left frustrated at the length of time it has taken for North Norfolk District Council's planning department to make a decision.

It has led to the owners of Platten's to lodge an appeal with the Planning Inspectorate - the government department that presides over planning disputes - due to the delay in determining the outcome of the application.

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Inside Platten's Fish and Chip Shop (Image: Newsquest)

NNDC planers will still be required to vote on the plans, which will help inform the judgement by the inspector, but the ultimate decision will now be taken by the official.

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Platten's is seeking permission to turn its first floor restaurant at Number 12, The Quay, at Wells into a holiday let.

It says in a planning statement: "The first floor was always more difficult to run as a restaurant as all the food preparation areas are on the ground floor.

"This leaves the first floor of Number 12 open for discussion for an alternative use and Airbnb type holiday accommodation was considered as this is always at a premium in Wells and would be advantageous to the business financially."

Inside Platten's in Wells (Image: Newsquest)

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The company said there is a shortage of short-term lettings in the town.

However, Some 611 of the 1,563 homes in Wells are currently holiday lets or second homes.

In July this year, locals voted to curb the number of second homes by introducing new planning rules, stating that any new developments must be the principal residence of the occupants.