Permission to continue running a Costessey building as an Indian takeaway has been lodged following a failed bid to build two new homes on the site. 

It has been more than 14 years since the Harte of India opened in Townhouse Road and eight since it closed, but efforts to bring it back to life are now being renewed with a certificate of lawful development.

This will allow the owner to prove to both the district council and future buyers that the business is legal - something it didn't have when it was first opened.

The Harte of India (left) and The Harte of Costessey (right)The Harte of India (left) and The Harte of Costessey (right) (Image: Google)

The takeaway started using a disused function room off the side of the Harte of Costessey pub in 2006 without planning permission and without the consent of the owner of the Harte, Admiral Taverns. 

The only permission it had was from the pub landlord at the time.

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A formal complaint relating to the takeaway business was lodged with South Norfolk District Council in early 2008 which prompted the landlord to submit a retrospective planning application. 

The Harte of India operated between 2006 and 2016The Harte of India operated between 2006 and 2016 (Image: Google) Around this time Admiral Taverns also became aware of the takeaway and insisted that a lease was put in place to legitimise the use of the building. The Harte landlord then left.

In 2010 a new landlord took over the pub lease which included the Indian food business as freehold, meaning the two were kept entirely separate. 

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And just over a year ago, plans were submitted to demolish the takeaway and build two semi-detached houses with car parking on the site.

The Harte pub operated separately from the Indian takeaway businessThe Harte pub operated separately from the Indian takeaway business (Image: Newsquest) The pub garden would also be remodelled to make way for access roads and parking for the home, while the pub's own car park would lose one space.

These plans were refused in May this year, however, with South Norfolk Council's planning committee ruling it as a "significant" step away from the intended use of the building. 

Its future remains unclear as council bosses weigh up the bid for lawful development.