LEIGH Town Council believes attempts are being made to have a landmark Leigh hotel Grade II listed.

Town councillors have been informed of the possibility and what effect that might have on Mick Norcross’s plans for a multi-million revamp of the dilapidated hotel on the Broadway.

Southend councillors threw out Mr Norcross’s plans for a multi-million revamp of the Grand Hotel in July. Following the decision, the former Only Way is Essex star announced he would sell the building. He subsequently issued a statement saying he was resubmitting revised plans without a contentious penthouse and at the same time would be appealing the decision.

The Grand Again Leigh-on-Sea campaign group, which wants to buy the hotel, has denied being behind the new listing attempt but has said it is keen on meeting with a heritage group which obtained listed status for the Havens department store in Hamlet Court Road.

A spokesman for the group, who asked not be named, said: “I don’t know about this but if Southend Council wanted to list it, it would have the opportunity to do so. We will be speaking to the Westcliff Conservation Society. Our plans would include a rear extension for a big family restaurant. This would make the building financially viable but listed status does restrict what you can do with a building. so we’re not sure.”

Mr Norcross plans to build 19 flats with a basement wine bar and health club, and ground floor restaurants. Leigh town councillor Caroline Parker said any attempt to list the building would cause unacceptable further delays in bringing the building back to use because of rules on what can be done with a listed building.

She said: “If it is listed it would be a restriction on the owner. I don’t believe the campaign group could ever raise enough money to buy and carry out the work needed on the Grand but this is not good. It would just put a spanner in the works.”

Mr Norcross said he believed the campaign group is behind the move but said any attempt to achieve further listing for the building would be unsuccessful.

He said: “The building is already locally listed and is not of sufficient importance to be Grade II listed. All it is going to do is cost me more.”

A spokesman for Southend Council said: “We are not directly seeking Grade II listing but any member of the public can do this.”