A BID to change a former High Street shop into two bedsits and two apartments has been refusal.

Plans for 197 to 199 High Street in Maldon, formerly the home of Dale Hire, were submitted to Maldon District Council in November.

They included an extension to the first floor to create two bed sits with three parking spaces and to change the layout of the first floor to create a further two apartments.

The ground floor of the property would undergo a change of use and would be used as the base/headquarters of a taxi firm.

But Maldon District Council has now refused the plans.

The decision report said: “The proposed development, due to its design, depth, bulk and sitting would result in an oppressive and unneighbourly form of development to the first floor window on the south eastern flank wall of No. 195 High Street.

“This would be detrimental to the amenity and living conditions of the occupiers of these residential units.”

The council also refused the plans on the grounds they would result in “an unacceptable level of harm” to the living conditions of the future occupiers of the units and would result in “incongruous and contrived access” to the proposed flats.