A BID to reconfigure the upstairs of a popular Italian restaurant for flats split the vote at a recent town council meeting.

Six councillors to four opted against Piatto Italian Restaurant, on Connaught Avenue, constructing four two-bedroom flats on its first and second floors.

Kieran O'Phelan, of Phelan Construction Ltd, has proposed to extend the round-floor restaurant and upstairs to make way for apartments.

The town council said it had previously given the go-ahead for four one-bedroom flats despite preferring the dwellings to have two bedrooms each.

However, new concerns for neighbouring residents such as the noise from air conditioning units and extractors, and a loss of privacy were cited as reasons for refusal.

Town mayor Jack Robertson was critical of the designs and the congestion added cars would cause.

He said: "It's overdevelopment and too much is being crammed in.

"And with regard to the an extension of the restaurant - where will the exhausts and kitchen extracts go?

"I feel whatever changes are made, the new kitchen equipment should be the super silent types to prevent noise pollution."

Deputy town mayor Robert Bucke added: "I'm pleased to see any housing which is going to be affordable, whether for sale or rental.

"The one-bed flats would have been at the bottom of the market, but with two-beds there is potential space for families which is ideal."

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Disapproving - Jack Robertson and Robert Bucke

The proposals are to extend the restaurant towards Harold Way, providing a large kitchen and food space area.

This gives scope for a larger bar but also a disabled toilet to be added inside.

An extra car space will be created for the occupants of the flats increasing from four to five, and 12 new cycle spaces.

Three objections have been submitted so far.

One Harold Grove resident fiercely criticised the proportion and overall size of the extension, calling it 'unacceptable, out of scale and overbearing'.

The resident wrote: "The visual impact of the extension will be overshadowing, obtrusive, dominating, overbearing, and not in line with the present character of Harold Way."

Others have claimed the proposed number of car parking spaces is inadequate and will cause illegal parking on Harold Way.

They also raised concerns about pedestrian safety, increased waste and pests.

Tendring Council's planning committee will have the final vote.