The Old Brewery House Hotel closed in August 2013 and was bought by Iain Wilson of Holt-based Byfords in November.
 
With the property renamed The Dial House, the planning application submitted to Broadland District Council calls for the refurbishment of the main Grade II listed building to provide a café /restaurant and retail outlet on the ground floor and “posh” bed and breakfast accommodation (nine rooms) on the first floor. It is envisaged that 20 full-time equivalent jobs will be created as a result of the commercial development, comprising 15 full-time and 10 part-time employees.
 
The planning application also includes the conversion of the east and west rear wings to provide six residential units, and the demolition of The Maltings and leisure centre to provide a further 12 dwellings. Of the 18 units proposed, two have two bedrooms, 12 have three bedrooms, three have four bedrooms and one has five bedrooms. Property prices are likely to range from £180,000 to £400,000 (based on £180-190 per square foot at current market values).
 
The viability appraisal suggests the financing of the project is “delicately balanced”. The total development costs of the commercial part of the plans are estimated at £1.7 million, while the total profit on the residential development (new build and conversion) is estimated at £360,000. Once all the costs are taken into account, the gross profit is estimated at £14,120 – this is before the application of the community infrastructure levy (CIL), which would normally be applied at a rate of £50 per square metre of the residential development.
 
However, the applicant says “some flexibility could be applied [with regard to the CIL] to ensure that this important heritage asset is brought back into sustainable use”. Arguing for a reduction in the CIL and the removal of the affordable housing requirement, the appraisal outlines the commercial benefit the project will bring to Reepham:

• £300,000 wage budget with a mix of full and part-time jobs;
• £300,000 annual spend of produce from mainly local suppliers;
• £200,000 annual spend on overheads, including some local services;
• up to 22 guests staying overnight and spending within the town;
• a strong established database of “followers” from the owners’ other interests in Norfolk, which will help draw new customers to Reepham;
• £20,000 annual marketing budget to help draw people to the town;
• it will provide a quality brand providing another reason to visit the town;
• restoring a feature building in the market square “which gives the right feel and quality”.

 
The viability appraisal concludes that the project will make an “essential contribution to the vitality and viability” of the town.
 
View the associated documents related to planning application no. 20140858 HERE
 
Download the proposed site plan