A FORMER wedding venue and conference centre famed for its beauty looks likely to become a housing development.

And, as well as building on the greenery and digging up the roads which run through the grounds, the main building could be altered and turned into flats.

The Node in Codicote - which was owned by Chartridge, the same company which owns the Hitchin Priory - closed suddenly last year. Its owners said the facility was no longer viable financially.

Three planning applications have just been submitted to North Herts District Council (NHDC) by Wilson Properties (London) Ltd. The Potters Bar based construction company bought the main building, the outbuildings and the 22 acres of surrounding land last year.

All of the applications relate to developing the land and buildings for housing.

The first of those applications requests to convert the main house into seven apartments, convert the former stable block into three mews houses and construct three detached houses, with garages.

That application also requests to demolish the modern extensions of the main house, bedroom block, training centre and other outbuildings, and remove parking and roads within the land.

There is also a listed building consent application to restore the Grade II listed Peach House and build property next to it.

AN NHDC spokesman said that a decision would be made by its planning committee.

Although a date has not yet been set, it is thought that the decision could be made in August.

The spokesman added: “The application will go to planning committee because it is for a residential development, with the area in question greater than half a hectare.”