PROPOSALS to turn a village watering hole into a gastro-pub and hotel are to go before council planners.

The owners of St Osyth Priory bought the White Hart in the village earlier this year.

The Sargeant family hope to turn the 200-year-old alehouse into pub with hotel and self-catering accommodation.

They say the grade-two listed building, in Mill Road, needs a "radical" overhaul to compete in the 21st century.

The £500,000 proposals include exposing an old inglenook fireplace and increasing the public bar, as well as creating a lounge and restaurant facilities.

An outbuilding would also be turned into a function room.

There would also be seven hotel bedrooms and four self-catering units in its grounds.

The Sargeants say the restoration proposals are part of their long term-vision to open up the priory estate to the public and transform its historic buildings, parks and gardens into a national tourist attraction.

Tendring Council is expected to make a decision on the plans later this year.