North Norfolk Holkham estate plans to convert flats

Holkham Estate, which owns the Victoria hotel in Holkham, has submitted an application to "change the use of staff flats into full unrestricted residential use".

The bid centres around 32 Park Road, where the flats are located.

It has been subject to a few changes over the last eight years and is linked to staffing at the hotel.

In 2016, the estate was granted permission to subdivide 32 Park Road into two one-bedroom flats for its staff. 

In that application, it was said that the previous three-bedroom unit did not offer "the correct type of accommodation for the staff". 

It stated that although the house was rented by the staff, having three bedrooms, with no additional private areas, was "not fulfilling the need of the staff".

In 2023, Head Chef Michael Chamberlain and the Victoria's restaurant team was awarded an AA accolade for culinary excellence. (Image: Holkham)  
It had been said that due to the proximity to both the Victoria and Ancient House, Number 32's accommodation is "ideal property for key workers to utilise as couples."

Then, during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Victoria hotel was forced to close, as many in the hospitality sector did, to mitigate its utility costs. 

The site then transitioned from being a pub to a hotel and restaurant, and focussed on welcoming guests into its 20 rooms.

In the estate's latest application for residential use, it explains: "As a result of this change, the staffing requirements reduced by approximately 20pc. However, it gave the retained team more consistent working hours." 

This led to the decision that 32 Park Road would be best utilised as residential use.

"The proposal would allow the property to revert to its former use, while retaining the added benefit of two independent smaller dwellings," the application said.

"There is a local need for smaller dwellings."

A determination deadline has been set for August 27.