THURROCK Council has called time on a dangerous 'flat' above a nail bar on Calcutta Road in Tilbury.

Firefighters found beds and personal items in rooms on the first floor of the commercial nail bar, suggesting possible residential use and fire safety risks.

As a result the site owner put in a retrospective planning application for a flat but that has been rejected.

The applicant, Quynh Van Tran, said: "The proposed accommodation is intended solely for use by the shop manager and will not be used, let or sold as an independent residential unit.

"The change of use supports the business's operational needs, specifically by providing rest and overnight space for the shop manager, who has limited mobility and benefits from reduced commuting demands and convenient access to the workplace.

"The ground floor retail unit will remain in full commercial use with no change to its established function."

Turning down the application Thurrock Council says: "The manager claimed the rooms are for storage and resting only, but the evidence indicates otherwise. Consequently, the planning application has been submitted seeking regulation of the above findings."

The council planning team fell back on planning regulations to reject the application, saying: "The alterations to the principal façade, specifically the replacement of the existing narrow horizontal openings with significantly larger windows, disrupt the uniformity and symmetrical balance of the commercial terrace.

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"This alteration would result in an unsympathetic and visually harmful impact on the distinctive architectural character of the building and the wider streetscape."

They also say: "The application fails to provide adequate external amenity space for the occupant of the first-floor flat. Given the residential use sought, the absence of any private external amenity provision falls below policy requirements and undermines the living standards expected for future occupants.

"This deficiency is considered materially harmful to the residential amenity."