THE long haul to find a suitable development for the site of Downton's most famous landmark is finally over.

Revised plans to convert the existing Tannery building into 12 flats with a further 16 retirement homes to its rear has won the unanimous backing of councillors.

A two-storey library and community facility and a total of 56 parking spaces will serve the development.

With design plans finalised, the demolition of existing dilapidated buildings can begin.

Chris Thompson, managing director of Beechcroft Developments, said: "It would have been nice for the plans to go through first time but it is more important to get it right."

Vice chairman of the committee and district councillor for Downton Margaret Peach expressed relief that the planning process was nearing completion.

"It's been a bit of a long haul but as a community I think we've achieved the best we can possibly get for the village," she said.

Tim Warner of Origin Architects, which has designed the scheme, said: "We used the design guide produced by the Downton Society as our bible and after small misunderstandings we got there in the end."