PLANS to convert a house to shop and offices have been refused by town hall chiefs.

The application to create retail space on the ground floor of the Wigan Road property with offices above was refused last week.

The proposal also included a two-storey extension at the back of the property and a new shopfront.

Planning officers decided that the extension would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the area.

They also said the design, height and siting of the extension would be overbearing and overshadowing the neighbouring property.

The report said: "Taking all of the above factors into account, it is considered that the proposal would be acceptable in principle, it would not result in undue noise and disturbance to the occupants of number 337 living conditions, and parking issues do not militate against permitting the proposal.

"However, it would result in significant harm in terms of the overall character of its surroundings, it would result in undue overbearing and overshadowing in relation to number 337."