West Acre pub could move into cottage during 18-month refurbishment

The Stag in West Acre could serve customers from a cottage across the road while its main building undergoes refurbishment.

A planning application seeks temporary pub use for the ground floor of Ford Cottage on Low Road, with a container outside to house the cellar. The application was awaiting a decision on the council’s register when checked on 12 September 2026.

The planning statement, prepared for West Acre Estate, says work on The Stag is expected to take around 18 months. The proposed move would begin in February 2027. Permission is being sought for up to two years to allow for delays.

The statement says the pub is too small to stay open while the work is done. Its owners want to avoid losing regular customers and retain a workforce equivalent to five full-time staff.

Ford Cottage’s dining area would become the public space and its kitchen would serve as the bar. The statement says no further physical changes to the cottage would be needed for the temporary use. Holiday accommodation upstairs would continue to operate.

Highways response seeks limits on the move

Norfolk County Council has said it would not oppose the principle of the application, subject to conditions.

In its response dated 9 September, the highway authority says the cottage’s position is not ideal for a pub. It nevertheless considers the temporary arrangement acceptable on balance, noting that the venue would be smaller than The Stag.

It wants a condition preventing the cottage pub and the main pub from operating at the same time. It also asks for the parking shown within the application boundary to be provided and kept available for the temporary pub throughout its operation.

The response cautions that temporary permission should not be treated as agreement to a similar permanent use.

Where to find the plans

The application is 26/01352/F, submitted to the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk. It was received on 19 August and validated on 27 August 2026.

View application 26/01352/F on PlanIndex for the proposal and a link to the council record, where the supporting documents and comments can be read. The proposed start date and duration come from the estate’s submitted statement; they are not confirmed opening dates or an approved timetable.

Reporting based on the public planning record and documents checked on 12 September 2026. No interviews were conducted.