AN HISTORIC building in Brampton could be developed into flats as part of a £1million project. The Grange guest house, in the High Street, could be converted into 14 apartments by the middle of next year if council planners give the scheme the thumbs up.

AN HISTORIC building in Brampton could be developed into flats as part of a £1million project.

The Grange guest house, in the High Street, could be converted into 14 apartments by the middle of next year if council planners give the scheme the thumbs up.

The proposals for the building, a former RAF headquarters, have been submitted by Martin Conroy, of Fenstanton-based Conroy Construction Ltd.

Mr Conroy, whose daughter Charlotte manages the guest house, told The Hunts Post: "At present the guest house has just seven rooms and to extend it to 15 or 16 would cost in excess of £1million, which is not economical.

"The building has not had any work done on it for 30 years and in some places it is a real mess. The roof needs replacing, windows need doing and cornices need restoration work."

The plans for the building, which is not listed, would see four apartments built in the main body of the building with the remainder in a redeveloped right wing.

Mr Conroy added: "We have been in contact with the planners from an early stage and we are determined to keep the character of the building.

"I have family living in Brampton so I am aware of the sensibilities of local people. We are going to do the job properly and are not here to make a quick buck.

"People may be disappointed that the hotel is going but unfortunately the demand just was not there."

If approved, the project is expected to cost more than £1million and take 12 months to complete. A decision is expected in May.

One room of the guest house is reputed to be haunted, though if the redevelopment takes place the room will form part of a hallway.

The Grange is thought to have been built in 1773 as a private residence before being used as a girls' school in the 1820s under the ownership of philanthropist Lady Bernard Sparrow.

Extensive building work was carried out in the 1860s, giving the house a more Victorian character. It is understood to have been sold for £600 in the 1870s.

In World War Two the building was requisitioned and became the headquarters and operations centre of the American Eighth Air Force. In 1945 the building was taken over by the RAF and used as the headquarters of its Technical Training Command. It was converted to a hotel in 1981 and has been run as a guest house since last summer.

INFORMATION: To view the plans, visit http://planning.huntsdc.gov.uk and search for application number 0800896. What do you think of the proposals? Do you have memories of The Grange in its previous incarnations? Contact The Hunts Post on 01480 411481 or e-mail editor@huntspost.co.uk