A DEVELOPER’S plan to build an extra floor on the top of a five-storey a block of flats in Clacton has been rejected.

Clacton developer Krishna Kandiah wanted to build four new flats on the top of Harlech House in Carnarvon Road.

The proposal was turned down by Tendring Council in January, but Mr Kandiah appealed against the decision.

A Government Inspector has now dismissed the appeal.

He said the main issuees were the effect the new flats would have of the surrounding street scene and whether it could be considered to be sustainable development.

He added that the existing building – which has already been converted from offices into flats – dominates the surrounding area due to its height and bulk.

The inspector felt that the benefits of the proposal for four new flats were small and would be outweighed by the harm.

The mid-1970s office block once accommodated more than 200 civil servants working for the Department of Health and Social Security.