A tea room has been met with opposition after submitting plans to convert the building into holiday accommodation.

Repton Heritage Restoration has applied to convert the former White Hart Inn, in Great Saling, into a three-bedroom cottage with a separate cottage to be reinstated.

The parish council has objected to the plans and called for the tea room to remain as it is after taking out an Asset of Community Value on the property several years ago.

Their objection says: “The White Hart used to be our village pub but after the property was sold by Greene King it was subsequently changed to a tea room with ancillary accommodation.

“The parish council feels that with the right person managing the tea room this would be a thriving business and asset to the village encouraging people to visit.

“If we lose this property to holiday accommodation, we will lose access to a treasured historical landmark and a valuable place to meet and socialise within the village.”

The Asset of Community Value means the property has additional protection from development.

It also means that if the building is sold, the community has the right to try to bid on it.

The application has so far amassed 13 objections and is due to be discussed at Brain tree Council’s planning meet ing on Tuesday.

The application said: “It should be noted however that the actual physical works proposed to the building are minimal, since major works were carried out in 2012 as part of the original conver sion works following closure of the public house.

“The reinstated dwelling will provide one bedroom accommodation and will be available for rent.

“This will go some way to wards satisfying the high de mand for smaller properties within the immediate and wider Braintree area.”

To view the application, visit publicaccess.braintree.gov.uk and search for 17/00818/FUL.