PLANS for demolishing a former depot in Bradford on Avon and replacing it with offices and housing were refused last night.

Bath-based Wela Invest (UK) Ltd had applied to transform the old depot in Frome Road, but West Wiltshire District Council's planning committee turned it down.

The application, which would see the construction of offices, studios, workshops and four three-storey houses, first came before the planning committee last month, but councillors deferred making a decision so they could carry out a site visit and assess the impact of the development.

The site visit was carried out yesterday afternoon and the councillors' decision came despite planning officer's recommendations that permission be given at a future date following a legal agreement to secure a £10,000 contribution to the provision and maintenance of footpaths in the area.

Councillors did not like the design of the scheme and were concerned about its impact on historic buildings, the canal and the conservation area.

Bradford on Avon Town Council objected to the development on the grounds it failed to fit in with the style of other buildings in the town, and British Waterways objected over fears of "potential heritage impacts" on the nearby wharf.

The applicants will now have the option of redesigning the scheme or appealing the decision with the Planning Inspectorate.