PLANS to transform a Latchford home into an off-licence have been refused by Warrington Borough Council.

An application was submitted to planners at the town hall which sought permission to change the use of the building from residential to mixed residential and commercial.

The site in question is on Park Avenue, in Latchford, and half of the building is being used as family accommodation, while the other half was being eyed for a commercial development until the council refused the plans.

It is stated that the proposals would - if approved - have seen the building partially converted to become an off-licence.

According to the design and access statement on the council's online planning portal: "The property is currently in excellent condition and does not require an intense refurbishment as I refurbished the extension in 2020 already.

"Only a few small alterations are needed, which I will complete upon approval.

"A small rear garden with a gate is attached to the extension, which needs to be refurbished and this [is guaranteed] to be done upon approval.

"Outside of the garden is multiple residential terraced housing on the same street.

"There is an alleyway at the rear of our property that is used for householders to gain access to the rear of their properties.

"We will not be interfering with this in any way."

However, the council has struck down the plans, with an officer's report reading: "The application site property is not located within a defined centre which is identified under policy DEV5 of the Warrington Local Plan (2023) for the provision of new retail development.

"No sequential assessment has been provided to demonstrate that there are no suitable sites available within a defined centre or in an edge of centre location or demonstrate that there would be no significant adverse impacts on the vitality and viability of existing centres.

"The activity and traffic generated by the proposed change of use, arising from both customers visiting the retail premises, deliveries to the site and commercial waste collection vehicles, would be greater than a purely residential use and generate unacceptable levels of noise and disturbance to existing neighbouring residential occupiers.

"No off-street parking provision is available for the site.

"The additional traffic generated would therefore exacerbate existing parking problems within the area and have an adverse impact on the safety of the surrounding road network and the amenity of the local community."