ENFORCEMENT action has been launched to stop a former seaside guesthouse being used as a bedsit.

Tendring Council has issued a notice to the owners of a property in Edith Road, Clacton, in a bid to rid the town of another bedsit blight.

It was once the Sea Horse Guesthouse, but has now been divided into multiple flats.

Planning permission for the move has been refused twice – the latest decision being made in December - and the council is now taking action to make sure the refusal is enforced.

The notice will come into force on June 10 and the owners will have six months to make sure the property no longer houses bedsits for multiple people.

If an appeal is made before June 10 the process will be delayed.

Tendring Council says it is strongly against the creation of bedsits.

The conversion also goes against council policy to deny any change of use for hotels and guesthouses in the centre of the resort without proof they are no longer viable.

Housing boss Paul Honeywood said: “We will bear in mind that people are living in the building and we do not want to make anyone homeless.

“However we need to follow this through with enforcement action following December’s refusal for planning permission.”