Number Ten Wine Bar in Lavenham is battling with its landlords against a change of use application which would force it to relocate.

The property 10, Lady Street, is currently occupied by the tenants, family-run eatery Number Ten, and has been there since March 2013.

The landlords have submitted a change of use application to Babergh District Council proposing a change to residential, retail and function hall use, which would force Number Ten to relocate.

The business owners have instructed a solicitor to object to the planning application and have stated they will be considering legal action if it is approved.

Simon Turner and Holly Bellingham have owned the 15th Century, Grade I listed property since November 2001.

Until 2013 it was used in its entirety as a dwelling house and they are now "taking steps to resume occupation of the property".

The space currently used by Number Ten is proposed to become offices occupied by Decima House Limited, a company owned by the Landlords for the wholesale of wine, and the business will occasionally use the retail and function space to stage dining events.

Internal and external alterations to the Grade I listed building have also been proposed to "re-establish the original flow of the property".

Two objections have been lodged against the application thus far, one from solicitors instructed by the building's tenants, No.10 Lavenham Limited, and one from a current employee.

Druces LLP has pointed out that it believes the application is invalid, incorrect use classes have been used and the planning statement provided is insufficient.

They also highlighted that 20 members of staff and four chefs would lose their jobs and free use of an upstairs room for book clubs, language classes and research groups would cease.

Concerns have also been raised as to the "lack of particularity" provided in the proposed internal and external works which could pose a threat to the Grade I listed building.

In another response, a current employee said they felt "very lucky" to have found work in Lavenham, due to the lack of job opportunities in the village.

They said the restaurant's closure would be a "great loss" as it is a "privilege" to work for Number Ten's owners and noted that it would also deliver a blow to the local community.