Holkham Estate is to appeal against planners' refusal to allow it to convert a former farm office into a one-bedroom flat for a member of its staff.The Estate had submitted plans to North Norfolk District Council for approval to convert the redundant office at Longlands on the Estate.

Holkham Estate is to appeal against planners' refusal to allow it to convert a former farm office into a one-bedroom flat for a member of its staff.

The Estate had submitted plans to North Norfolk District Council for approval to convert the redundant office at Longlands on the Estate. The Estate farm department had previously been based there but has now transferred to Egemere.

The proposed flat would be on the ground floor with the Holkham scouts and facilities for providing beaters' lunches on the ground floor. The Methodist chapel is also based there.

Estate managing director, Richard Gledson, said that he considered that conversion of the old office into a flat was a sensible way of using old buildings because when they are not in use they could fall into disrepair. There would be limited conversion work to the interior of the building.

The public hearing, chaired by a government inspector, is due to be held on August 19 at the district council offices on Holt Road at Cromer.

The planning application was refused because it was contrary to policy 29 of the Local Plan regarding new homes in the countryside. The Estate had also failed to demonstrate there was a functional need that its staff needed to live at or close to the site of their work.

The appeal documents can be viewed by the public at the district council offices during normal office hours.