PLANNERS have slammed a retrospective bid to split a building in a conversation area into two shops in a scathing report.

The building, 36 to 38 Kingsway in Dovercourt, was split into two shops to house a mortgage broker and a security firm.

But no application was made for planning permission.

In September 2016 retrospective plans were put in to divide the property, stating it had sat empty for ten years, had fallen into disrepair and was too big to let.

These plans were approved but another application had to be made for the new shopfronts, again after the work had already been carried out, which was refused in November 2016.

An appeal to the planning inspectorate was refused.

The latest plans, put to Tendring Council in March, have now also been refused with planning officers blasting the work carried out.

Planning officers at the council said: "All original features have been removed.

"The frontage is now dominated with bland UPVC windows and doors and panels.

"The heritage statement is simply descriptive with poor examples of other shopfronts in an attempt to justify the unacceptable changes here.

"The majority of these examples are unpleasant and unsympathetic in the conservation area and should not be a starting point for the redesign of this shopfront.

"The existing signage and design approach are unacceptable and should not be used on any new shopfront.

"Development within a conservation area must preserve or enhance the character or appearance."

A decision report from the council said the intention behind the changes was supported as it recognised having smaller spaces for businesses was a benefit.

But it added: "The development is considered poor in design terms being demonstrably harmful to the character or appearance of the Dovercourt Conservation Area."

The owner was not available for comment.