PLANS to turn a vacant town centre office block into 26 apartments have been pulled by the applicant.

Proposals to turn Kings Court on Scotland Road into one and two-bedroom flats had been submitted to Warrington Borough Council's planning department.

Developers had initially outlined intentions for 32 properties at the site, located above units including East Orient Buffet Restaurant, but later reduced this to 26.

The top three floors of the building would have been converted into living accommodation under the proposals, while the ground floor was to remain in use for retail and leisure.

But Stockton Heath-based applicant Bondbay Ltd withdrew its planning application on Wednesday, February 15.

Warrington Borough Council's environment and public protection team had earlier expressed concerns over the plan.

A report by public protection services manager Steve Smith said: "It is entirely possible that future sensitive receptors above the restaurant may be impacted adversely by odours from the ground floor use.

"There may also be impacts from the other commercial uses which arise along the ground floor area.

"Whilst noise is likely to be the most likely issue and would be tackled via the construction of the building, odours, collections of refuse, deliveries to the site and other factors may have the potential to impact on residential amenity."

The Warrington Guardian understands that Bondbay will submit revised plans for the area in the near future.