A WITCHFORD restaurant could be converted to a veterinary surgery under plans submitted to East Cambridgeshire District Council.

The award-winning Needhams restaurant on Main Street has been put on the market by owners Luke and Verity Pearson and plans have been lodged that could see it converted into a new surgery.

The applicants behind the plans are vets Catherine Scott and Jo Johnson.

At present, the restaurant, which was taken over by its current owners in 2000, employs the equivalent of six full-time staff but, according to the plans, a new surgery would employ the equivalent of seven full-time staff.

The owners of Needhams say the restaurant will remain open for business as usual however, while the planning application is considered by council officers.

A decision on the plans is expected within the next eight weeks. To view the plans, or to have your say, visit www.eastcambs.gov.uk.