Plans have been approved to create a new Italian restaurant in mid-Norfolk.

A planning application submitted to Breckland Council to turn a former beauty salon and hairdressers on Dereham High Street has been approved.

The application to transform the ground floor of the Grade II listed building includes installing a round pizza oven, cold room and bar, and seating for 42 diners - with the two upper floors of the building remaining as flats.

The application received no objections, but the historic buildings consultant did comment, saying: “The proposed blocking off of the front door will need to be done behind the existing door to retain the current frontage. Boarding over as outlined would not be acceptable.

“The proposed extract flue will need to be relocated so it is not visible from the public realm.”

The unit was most recently occupied by Elle Belle's hairdressers and beauty salon, which moved to a new location at 27 Wellington Road in July.

The shop site has been used by several different businesses over the years, including Unicorn Computers, Pussycatz Clothing and Barrett and Coe photography studios.

All documents can be found on Breckland's planning portal, under the reference, 3PL/2023/0971/LB.