An appeal has been submitted after plans to turn a former funeral directors in Warwick into a house were refused.

Warwick District Council (WDC) threw out the application for the unit on St John's in April, despite the application saying there is no viable commercial future for a business there.

The unit has reportedly been empty since 2018, and was given permission to be turned into a salon in 2021 but the scheme never went ahead.

When planning permission for the site was refused earlier this year, a council report said the development would "result in the loss of a retail use" in the town centre.

And it said the proposed house would have an "unacceptable level of amenity for future occupiers".

The project would have seen the downstairs turned into a kitchen and sitting room, meanwhile the staircase would have been moved.

The applicant has now submitted an appeal to the planning inspector saying there is little prospect of a new business starting there.

"The marketing of the property both before and since the appellant became owner shows that there is very limited interest in the premises for a commercial use," the appeal stated.

"This is likely due to its small scale, edge of centre location and the significant changes in office requirements since Covid.

"The property has been marketed as a possible space for any Class E use, however there has been very little interest and the appellant has been required to reduce the rental rate in order to try to attract possible tenants."

The appeal also stated previous concerns around the application have been addressed.

It added; "The proposed internal arrangement of the property has been amended to ensure that all habitable rooms can benefit from sufficient natural light and the ability to utilise natural passive ventilation.

"This alteration does not make any substantive change to the proposal considered at application stage, or prejudice the involvement of any party."

Warwick District Council will now have the opportunity to state its case before a planning inspector makes a final decision.

Meanwhile, the premises has also been put back on the market with local property agent Wareing and Co, described as 'offices to let' for £20,000 per year.

The brochure describes it as: "A characterful three-storey property that was once a post office and has been recently refurbished."

It adds: "The property is located on St Johns, a small area of road which links Smith Street to Coten End located in the very heart of the historic town of Warwick

"Smith Street and Coten End form 2 of the main arterial roads in and out of Warwick with Coten End being one of the main roads linking Warwick to Leamington. As such, the property benefits from a high footfall.

"Within close proximity there are a number of retail and food and beverage users as well as residential dwellings."

See the planning application here.