An appeal against the refusal of permission for a housing development in Stevenage Old Town has been dismissed by The Planning Inspectorate.

A developer had wanted to demolish a single storey building fronting onto Church Lane and create four one-bedroom flats in its place.

Meanwhile, he wanted to retain the two-storey section of the building fronting onto Letchmore Road and create a one-bedroom home.

However, Stevenage Borough Council refused to grant planning permission on several grounds, including that "the proposed development would result in harm to the distinctive character of the area", and would "fail to preserve the character and appearance of the Old Town Conservation Area".

The council also said that "the quality of the proposed accommodation would be exceptionally poor, offering limited defensible space, privacy or useable outdoor space," adding that "future occupants would be likely to feel oppressed and suffer from a fear of crime, to the extent that living conditions would be unacceptable".

The developer appealed against the decision, but this appeal has been dismissed by The Planning Inspectorate.

The Planning Inspectorate said: "The proposed development would not preserve the special interest or setting of the listed buildings, or preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the conservation area.

"The development would also have a negative effect on the character and appearance of the area."

The Planning Inspectorate added: "The proposed development would have a harmful effect on the living conditions of future occupants of the development in terms of private outdoor space, privacy, outlook and the fear of crime."