A Spar retailer in Leicestershire has launched an appeal against Harborough District Council after his planning application for outdoor seating was refused.

Raj Aggarwal submitted the application to extend his Spar store in Market Harborough, which is attached to the Grade II listed Symington Building, last summer. He wanted to build a seating area to complement his food to go offering, which includes coffees, sandwiches and snacks.

The seating area would require the removal of cycle racks outside Mr Aggarwal’s store and the erection of new ones across the road. However, the application was denied by Harborough District Council on 5 October, which argued there would be accessibility issues for pushchair and wheelchair users.

Harborough District Council development control manager Adrian Eastwood said: “The use will detract from the setting of the listed Symington Building.”

Mr Aggarwal said he was now appealing against the decision. “It’s disappointing. Others I’ve spoken to said they have no problem with it. I’ll have lost over £2,000 in architect fees if it doesn’t go through.”