THE owner of a former courthouse is hoping to do justice to the building by turning it into a private home.

Plans have been submitted to Tendring Council to change the use of the former Harwich Magistrates Court building on Main Road, Dovercourt into a single dwelling.

If approved the parking at the back of the building would be removed, but the rest of the work that would complete the conversion is still under wraps.

Harwich Town councillor Maria Fowler has welcomed the application.

“I am pleased because I don’t like to see any buildings empty and I’m pleased it isn’t going to be knocked down, that’s one thing I didn’t want to see.

“It’s a magnificent building, it’s got history and character.

“I think it would be a fabulous place to live.”

Currently fitted with two court rooms, two cells, interview rooms and video link rooms, the court was last used in March 2012.