FRESH plans to revamp a historic pub, creating 10 bed and breakfast rooms, a takeaway and community bar, have been revealed.

Plans will see the Flag Inn, in Colchester Road, Wivenhoe, extended to create the new businesses.

Similar plans for a nine-bed B&B were approved in 2020, however, earlier this year the applicant returned with new proposals to create a house of multiple occupancy instead.

The owners said the plans had to be revised in the wake of coronavirus.

Changes proved controversial, attracting objections from residents and the application was called in by ward councillor Mark Cory (Lib Dem).

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AW Invest Ltd, the firm behind the plans, has now revised plans once again to include a slightly larger B&B.

A statement from the applicant says: "Renovations will significantly improve the kerb appeal on the drive into Wivenhoe and the local community will benefit from the additional hospitality on offer.

"Wivenhoe also attracts many visitors each year, both from general tourism and visitors to the university.

"There is currently a short fall in the accommodation market, especially in the upper part of the village.

"The creation of these bed and breakfast rooms will help to fulfil that market need and generate employment in doing so."

Access to the pub will be upgraded, with 15 car parking spaces set to be provided as well as 20 cycle spaces.

The statement adds: "The Flag has a proven history of failure in its current format. The addition of extra rooms will create a revenue stream which will make the business viable and is imperative to the business model.

"Additionally, trends, laws and social etiquette have changed - people no longer drive to the pub - they walk or cycle or use public transport and taxis.

"Having run another pub/restaurant in the village for six years which had a far greater capacity than The Flag I have real time experience of this."

It adds: "We have tremendous support from the local community, including Wivenhoe Society and Wivenhoe Town Council have voted in full support of the project and of these specific plans."

The Flag Inn is a locally listed building, meaning it is of particular importance to the area, but does not have official designation.

The building is believed to date from the middle of the 18th century.