PROPOSALS to transform a restaurant into flats have been thrown out after planning bosses ruled they would fail to 'provide adequate daylight, sunlight and air circulation'.

Muhammad Hussain, who is the director of Food Inc Colchester Ltd, submitted detailed documents to Colchester Council’s planning department last month.

The blueprints showed a desire to turn Grill 66 Fusion, which the Gazette understands has become Colchester Spice, into housing for students and city centre workers.

According to the plans, business owner Mr Hussain wanted the Barrack Street unit to consist of a one bedroom flat and a pair of two bedroom flats.

Gazette:

Bosses at Colchester Council, however, have now refused the proposal, saying the flats would fail to provide a satisfactory living environment for future occupants.

A spokesman for the authority said: “The proposed flats would fail to provide adequate daylight and sunlight as well as air circulation.

“The private amenity space is impractical, of poor quality, and will be potentially overlooked by flat windows and users will be able to view private living spaces.

“The proposal would result in substandard living conditions through inadequate space of a size and quality required.”

According to planning bosses, there has also been a lack of thought given to cycle parking, refuse and recycling facilities and disabled access.

The authority also believes the proposed development in its current form would prove detrimental to the character and appearance of an already cramped area.

Food Inc Colchester Ltd bosses, however, had previously suggested closing down the restaurant and turning it into flats would be of huge benefit.


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A spokesman for the company, which owns the Indian restaurant and takeaway, said: “At the moment there is a problem with lack of housing.

“This will allow for single individuals who work in Colchester to reside locally to their workplace and it will also be suitable [for students] at the University of Essex.

“The appearance of the building will not change drastically, with similar materials being used, fitting with the harmony of the street.

“There will be no loss of employment to the site as all of the people working within the restaurant are immediate family members and are aware of the conversion.”