THE businessman set to transform Leigh’s iconic Grand Hotel has suffered a few last-minute setbacks - but expects work to start this month.

Mick Norcross has been left frustrated by an attempt by an anonymous applicant to make the Grand a Grade II listed building.

And he is still waiting for formal approval of the plan to come back from the Government.

Never the less, the former reality TV star, 54, is confident work will start soon.

He said: “We are expecting the big diggers to come in within the next two to three weeks.

“But, yes, there are still people trying to obstruct me.

“Someone anonymous proposed it be a listed building. Historic England have done a survey and a report has gone to the secretary of state.

“It’s unbelievable that someone can do that. We have done everything we can to preserve this building and will make it beautiful like it once was.

“We may have to seek listed building consent if it gets Grade II listing, but I don’t think it will have much impact on our plans which are to restore the building like it was. Most of the interior was ripped out by a previous owner.”

Mr Norcross, who has been waiting to develop the site for over five years, said he was not unduly concerned, adding: “We are doing site set up at the moment.

“We’re still waiting for the judicial review. This happens with every application and takes about six weeks, but we’re not expecting any problems from that.”

The council’s development control committee overwhelmingly voted in favour of the multi-million pound plan, 15 to two, back in November last year.

The upmarket proposal, just off Leigh’s Broadway, will include a wine bar, health club, a restaurant, plus 18 luxury flats, with 19 parking space and a plush viewing platform.

Mr Norcross has weathered many stormy setbacks - Japanese knotweed was found on site and had to be removed. A planning application was turned down last year over the size of a penthouse roof, but finally gained approval after Mr Norcross altered the plan. And campaign group The Grand Again Leigh-on-Sea mounted a bid to buy the former pub when a fed-up Mr Norcross indicated he may sell up.