Hotel NR19, in Dereham Market Place, has lodged a retrospective application seeking “lawful development certification” for seven rooms that have been used as self-contained flats by local authorities for “well in excess of 10 years”.

The application, put in by building owner Tony Burlingham, says that councils have placed vulnerable households in the converted rooms despite no formal approval for residential use.

Hotel NR19 is located in the heart of Dereham town centre(Image: Newsquest)

A supporting document states: “These rooms have been used for well in excess of 10 years without........

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