A listed town centre building which was once the home of its local paper is set to be turned into bedsits.

Dragon property maintenance has been given planning permission to convert the three-storey former shop at Hill Street, Wisbech.

Originally built as a home, it was most recently a hair salon. In the 1960s, it housed local paper the Wisbech Standard.

In a planning statement, the developers said: "One self-contained flat will be provided in the basement. The ground and upper floors of the building will be converted to co-living accommodation with two en-suite bedrooms and nine studio rooms.

"Minor internal alterations are proposed to facilitate the conversion to residential use including new partition walls. The only external alteration proposed is to the upper section of the ground floor windows to Hill Street."

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Wisbech Town Council supported the proposals. A planning officer's report says the 18th century building has "a distinct character", with arched ground floor front windows and stone detailing.

The report concludes: "The proposal is considered acceptable and accords with the relevant policies of the Fenland Local Plan."