PLANS to change a former Christchurch restaurant into four flats have been handed to planners.

The application for the Crooked Beam restaurant in Christchurch comes just weeks after planning permission was given for two flats on the site.

The restaurant, which is now closed, has been sold by former owners, Vicki and Simon Hallam, to developer Kelvin Medley-Jones.

The couple who ran the AA rosette restaurant for nearly 10 years, tried unsuccessfully for four years to try and market the restaurant to potential new owners.

Mrs Hallam is now a Christchurch councillor representing Highcliffe ward.

Planning permission was granted to Mr Medley Jones for two flats on the site in July.

But now a scheme applying for change of use of the building to residential to include four flats has been submitted to Christchurch council.

It will include parking and communal gardens.

Matt Stevens, planning agent from Christchurch-based Aspire Architects, said the previous plans were for two "very large flats".

"We have gone in with the same application but for four one-bedroom flats as opposed to two very large flats.

"The previous application took a while to get permission as there were complications over a couple of issues."

He expects the application to be decided under delegated powers.

"Mr Medley-Jones will develop the flats himself to a very high standard, as with his previous developments", Mr Stevens added.

The Crooked Beam was one of Christchurch’s oldest and most historic restaurants.

Dating back to 1538, it was originally the gate house or lodge to Jumpers House which no longer stands.

The beams – and it does have a crooked one – date back to Domesday, mirroring those in Christchurch Priory.

Officers have yet to make a recommendation on the scheme, which is open to comments until Wednesday, September 23.