PLANS to transform a garage into a home gym and office space have been thrown out by council bosses.
Colchester Council has rejected blueprints to turn a site in Great Tey, in Earls Colne Road, into an exercise space.
According to a design and access statement accompanying the proposals, the garage building needed replacing due to “extensive cracking in the walls”.
The applicant also said it did not have enough space to accommodate two modern cars.
The application said: ”The need to rebuild the building has prompted the owners to consider creating a small annexe to the house, incorporating a home gym and a home office, neither of which comfortably fit into the main house.
“There is an ongoing need to house the plant associated with the outdoor swimming pool and for a toilet and shower for the users of the pool.
“Due to the potentially dangerous and corrosive nature of the chemicals used in the upkeep of the pool water, the filtering, heating and pumping plant will be housed in a very small extension to the side of the building.
“The replacement building endeavours to remain outwardly as if a double garage and the main part inhabits the exact footprint of the existing building."
However, Colchester Council has refused the planning application.
A spokesman said the proposed development would have a “detrimental impact” on the setting of the host listed building contrary to local plan policies.
They said: “Clear and convincing justification is required for any harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset including from development within its setting.
“Where a development proposal will lead to less than substantial harm to the asset’s significance, this harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal including, where appropriate, securing its optimum viable use.”
They added the proposed rooflights and fenestration would “exacerbate the dominating and overly domestic character of the proposed new building”.
Prior to the official decision being announced, Great Tey Parish Council said it had no objection to the plans, subject to neighbour views.
The Highway Authority had no comment to make on the proposals.
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