Plans to convert a town centre office into flats have been refused by the district council due to the impact on a Grade II listed building.

Cobalt Developments had applied to create two, one-bed flats above The Iron Works and Charlie Nails Salon at Market Place.

The Stratford-based developers also wanted to build a three-storey extension on the back of the listed building to house a new staircase.

But Warwick District Council planners refused the application stating that it would harm the character of the site.

"The scale, massing and footprint of the stair tower extension is disproportionate to its use and the harm resulting from it's excessive scale and poor design is not considered to be outweighed by the small gain in providing access to the first and second floor flats, which can already be accessed by other means," the council report said.

Planners also raised concerns about parking, privacy and waste management.

Adding: "The public benefits derived from the scheme are considered minimal and the applicant has not demonstrated that the proposed use is the optimal viable use for the building.

"The harm identified is therefore not sufficiently outweighed by the public benefits of bringing the building back into use."

But Cobalt said in its application that it wanted to reinvigorate the disused space.

"This property has been vacant for some time, and it is important that a viable and sustainable use is found for it as soon as possible in order to avoid the building falling into disrepair," the application said.

"The demand for offices of this nature is extremely limited in the current economic climate and the building is not able to provide modern standards of office accommodation.

"The proposed development will provide much needed smaller homes (which are typically being under provided on greenfield sites) that are affordable for first time buyers in the most sustainable location in the town centre.

"It will also support the vitality of the town centre through increasing its resident population."

Planning permission was refused by delegated authority.