The owner of a historic hotel and pub in a Norfolk town wants to knock down its function room and dilapidated sheds and build two homes in their place.

Robin Twigge runs the 16th-century The Swan Hotel, in the Thoroughfare, Harleston, which has been up for sale for the last four years.

He has submitted an application to South Norfolk Council for "demolition of outbuildings and function room and erection of two residential dwellings with associated access and landscaping".

In the planning statement, it describes plans to replace "the poorly constructed function room and existing dilapidated sheds" with "two high quality detached dwellings”.

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The Swan Hotel in Harleston has been under Mr Twigge's ownership for more than 20 yearsThe Swan Hotel in Harleston has been under Mr Twigge's ownership for more than 20 years (Image: ©Archant Photographic 2010) READ MORE: Application for 180 new homes in Loddon has been approved

The application proposes that they will be three-bedroom properties.

The site is to the rear of The Swan Hotel, and access to the two houses will be via Swan Lane.

Two car parking spaces would be provided for each dwelling.

The statement adds: "The existing commercial premises to the east of the site would be accessed via a separate access". 

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The Swift Piano Bar one of the innovations of Robin Twigge at The Swan Hotel in Harleston. Picture: Sonya DuncanThe Swift Piano Bar one of the innovations of Robin Twigge at The Swan Hotel in Harleston. Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: ARCHANT EASTERN DAILY PRESS (01603) 772434) READ MORE: Beccles trust's bid to reduce rental fees on Quay field

Mr Twigge has also submitted another application for the property for "the change of use of the existing piano bar to Class E use and formalisation of car park".

The car park would offer 11 parking spaces and two disabled spaces.

The change of use of the piano bar "would allow more flexible use of this space as a separate unit".

Mr Twigge has owned the property for 23 years and is selling The Swan so he can retire. 

The Hotel Inspector Alex Polizzi with Robin Twigge when she visited The Swan in Harleston for the TV show in 2009. Picture: Channel 5The Hotel Inspector Alex Polizzi with Robin Twigge when she visited The Swan in Harleston for the TV show in 2009. Picture: Channel 5 (Image: Archant) READ MORE: Historic pub twice visited by TV’s Hotel Inspector put up for sale

He said: "I love it. I have always loved The Swan".

Mr Twigge has been working in the hospitality industry for 60 years and said: "Now I want to have some fun." 

It is advertised as a pub for sale with offers in the region of £600,000. 

The grade II listed property featured on the televison show, Hotel Inspector, twice under Mr Twigge's ownership.