An appeal to build flats in Frinton has been granted.

Plans for the new apartments in Old Way, to replace a builders' warehouse, were turned down by Tendring Council last August.

They had also had the thumbs down from Frinton councillors, who believed that the demolition of the existing building would take away the privacy of residents in Old Road, and that it should remain a site for light industrial use.

But last week, government inspector Hilda Higenbottam ***corr*** gave the go-ahead to the application, which had been submitted by builder Colin Batten from Brightside.

In her report, the inspector said she did not believe the plans would materially harm the privacy or visual amenity of the residents of Old Road.

"The proposed building would be taller and narrower in width than the existing building," she said.

"However, it would be set further away from dwellings.

"There is no evidence that the proposed building would cause any increase in overshadowing."

Mrs Higenbottam also addressed the concerns of other locals who feared that the plans would set a precedent for the area.

She said: "The building on the appeal site is in independent use and occupies most of the site.

"Other sites within Old Way appear to be linked to either residential uses in Old Road or commercial uses within Connaught Avenue.

"They are therefore not directly comparable to the appeal site and I do not consider that such a fear of precedent is central to my decision."

Applicant Mr Batten said he was pleased that the appeal had been granted.

"It's been going on for over a year," he said.

"We can now get started, and I will ensure that the flats will be in keeping with the street scene in Frinton."