Plans to convert former barbers at 2 High Street, in Debenham, near Stowmarket, to home green lit by council

Plans to convert a former village barbers to a home have been green lit by a council.

Mid Suffolk District Council approved the proposals from Nick Hughes for The Toll House, in High Street, Debenham, near Stowmarket, on Monday.

The property’s living room area, which was used for the barbers, will be turned back into a living space.

The applicant said this would reduce the impact on transport and highways as people will not be visiting the site as a barbers anymore.

The council’s Economic Development and Tourism team expressed concerns about the loss of a retail unit in Debeham’s High Street.

It said the unit is in the heart of the village and would be attractive to other small businesses if advertised properly.

Planners determined prior approval was needed for the conversion, and in turn gave this to the applicant for the project.

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Developers have three years to begin works.