A planning application for three new houses behind and two new flats above Sidmouth Housewares on Fore Street has been withdrawn.

The owner of the shop had wanted to demolish the single-storey flat-roofed extension to the rear for the three new houses.

They would each have had two bedrooms, a parking space and a private garden and would have been three storeys tall.

The two new flats above the shop would each have had one bedroom and a parking space.

The single-storey extension to the rear (Google)

The application was going to be considered by councillors at this week's East Devon District Council planning committee meeting, but since it was withdrawn, it did not feature.

Council officers had recommended councillors refuse permission.

They raised concerns around flood risk issues, the loss of retail floorspace and the size and appearance of the proposed three-storey homes to the rear.

They did not object to redevelopment in principle, however, saying "the original building fabric could benefit from refurbishment and the later single-storey extension does little for the character of [the] Sidmouth Conservation Area".

Click here to see the application.