A couple's plans to turn former public toilets into a shop has been thrown out by a planning inspector.

Satinder Salona and Deepak Govindram bought the former Kirklees Council-owned toilets in Marsh and had hoped to convert the building into a retail outlet with an apartment above.

Kirklees Council’s planning officers dismissed the plans earlier this year saying it would result in over-development of the site but the couple appealed the decision.

But planning inspector Chris Checkley has now been dismissed the appeal, saying the couple did not provide evidence to support their argument that the retail unit would not be financially viable without the apartment.

Mr Checkley also said the proposal would cause “serious harm to the appearance and character of the area and the setting of the adjacent listed building” which is the Croppers Arms pub.

The couple bought the toilets at auction for just under £40,000.