Developers, the Barracuda Group, hope to convert the historic three-storey building, in Baxters Plain, into a Smith and Jones-style bar and restaurant.

West Norfolk Council's development control board is due to discuss the application on Monday, but debate has been raging since the plans first emerged around eight weeks ago.

Lynn Civic Society has entered a formal objection to the scheme and requested the application be deferred while the on-going issue of listed status is resolved.

Its application to have the building listed was turned down by English Heritage in May, but members have since been granted a review by the Government's Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

A final decision is expected to take some months and the status of the landmark building does not change while the review is being carried out, meaning the development is free to go ahead if approved by the board.

The Civic Society wants to see the building used and enjoyed, but is keen to preserve its interior, in particular its historic wooden panelling, salvaged from London's old Waterloo Bridge.

But a report to the board states: "As the building is not listed, it is considered unreasonable to impose a condition requiring the retention of the internal wooden panelling."

The council has also received seven letters of objection and two petitions signed by 23 local businesses, concerned about the effect the pub will have on trade and the surrounding area.

There are fears the national chain will drive out smaller businesses and cause job losses, while making the area noisy and unpleasant at the weekends.

The building falls within an area earmarked for re-development by the borough council. It has employed specialists to draw up a master plan to extend and enhance the town centre with shops and facilities, but officers state this should not affect the application.

If the scheme goes ahead, the night spot will cover two storeys, have a capacity of around 510 people, a flat on the first floor, an outside seating area and is expected to bring around 35 jobs to the town.