Businessman Steve Johnson failed in a bid to persuade East Cambs planners to allow two homes in the centre of Soham.

The two bedroom two storey homes were proposed for 9 Churchgate Street but planners decided that it would result in the loss of adequate space for parking, turning and unloading of delivery vehicles to nearby shops.

“This could lead to noise complaints from future occupiers of the houses adding pressure to the vitality of the shops,” concluded the planning officer who inspected the site.

He also described the site as “cramped” and the conservation officer was “not convinced that the site is suitable for development”.

Soham Town Council weighed in with objections on the grounds of over development, loss of car parking space for nearby homes and insufficient visibility at access with Churchgate Street.

The parish council was also concerned about the proximity of an emergency exit door to a nearby building which opens directly onto the access route.