PLANS to transform an iconic building into a pub have been re-submitted to a borough council.

The long-awaited proposals by JD Wetherspoon for the Corn Exchange, in Bury St Edmunds, were submitted to St Edmundsbury Borough Council in late December, but they were sent back to the architects as they were deemed incomplete.

The pub company confirmed earlier this week the main planning application for the historic building in Abbeygate Street had been re-submitted. Yesterday, the plans for the venue were not yet available to the public as they were being verified by the borough council, but an artist’s impression was provided by Wetherspoons.

Plans for a pub in the landmark building have proved controversial with the people of Bury, with arguments for and against being expressed.

There have also been rumours that the company has been looking at taking on the Barclays Bank building, in Abbeygate Street, instead but yesterday these were yet again quashed by a spokesman for the firm.

Eddie Gershon, Wetherspoons spokesman, said: “We are pleased the plans have been submitted and will now await the decision of the planning authority.”

Alan Jary, vice-chair of the Bury Society, which opposes the pub bid, said: “We shall certainly wait to see the detail when they are finally published.”

He added: “Everybody is interested. Most people would like to see it resolved.”

Mr Gershon said the architects had said the signage application was due to be submitted on Tuesday. Wetherspoons would also need to obtain a premises licence to operate the pub.

The company’s pub bid was backed by the borough council.