The green light was given to turn a former hotel and conference centre into apartments and houses.

Members of North Herts District Council’s (NHDC) planning committee approved plans to turn The Node Conference and Training Centre in Codicote, into residential homes yesterday (Thursday).

The former hotel and conference centre on Hitchin Road closed in 2011 after its owners, Cartridge, which also runs Hitchin Priory, said the facility was no longer financially viable.

The building was subsequently bought in 2012.

A successful planning application on the site to convert the main house into seven apartments and to build four detached homes was previously approved.

The latest application, which was submitted by Court Homes Ltd and North Hertfordshire Homes was for 10 apartments including extensions and alterations.

The plans also include converting a former stable blocks into three mews houses, and building three four-bedroom detached houses and garages built.

The modern extension to the main house, bedroom accommodation block, training centre and other outbuildings will be demolished and existing roads and parking areas removed.

Robin Hayhurst, managing director of Court Homes Limited said: “ We are very excited about the project and it’s going to be quiet a special project all round.”