A listed building on Norton Green could be converted into three blocks of flats.

Wimpey Homes has requested planning permission to turn the former hotel, Norton Hall, into a complex containing 20 flats.

Despite concerns from some residents about increased traffic, and the size of the development, the hotel's squash building, wine cellars, car park wall and a joinery building could be demolished and replaced with two blocks of flats.

Stockton Borough Council was to have made a decision on the application this week but that was deferred for Wimpey Homes to provide more information.

In a report to the council, a spokesman for the environment and technical services department said: "Norton Hall has been an important and strong element of The Green for many years, having developed, until its recent sale, into a private-type hotel offering multiple uses.

"The building itself is imposing and it is considered that its active reuse is important, if not essential, to ensure that the fabric of Norton Hall is maintained and does not deteriorate."

Features such as the wooden panelling inside the hall would be retained and the front of the building would remain practically the same.

English Heritage has called for the joinery building to be preserved but planning officers agree with Wimpey that that is unreasonable, because of its poor structural condition.