A PUB chain has lodged a planning appeal after a proposal to turn Droitwich's disused county council offices into a bar and restaurant were refused on the advice of police officers.

Wychavon District Council turned down the application to transform the office block in Ombersley Street East into a Smith & Jones pub because of fears it could lead to an increase in crime and disorder in the town.

If the pub had been given the go-ahead it would have been situated next to a subway and between another pub and a number of fast food outlets. In a letter to the council, PC Robert Stephenson, divisional crime risk manager for West Mercia Constabulary said: "I cannot think of a worse place to put a new pub in the whole of the town."

Dozens of residents from nearby roads, including West Street, Burrish Street, Westcroft Court and Albert Street, lodged objections and signed a petition against the "huge new pub". The petition described previous problems of anti-social behaviour by drunken young people late at night and said there was already a serious litter problem.

Once resident said: "It concerns me that cheap alcohol and a late licence can only lead to trouble in town at night."

Another said the plan would be detrimental to Droitwich's historic character. The owners and managers of nearby pubs and restaurants also objected and members of Droitwich Civic Society said they would prefer to see a better use of the land.

The applicant Avonhall Securities Ltd has lodged a written appeal to the planning inspectorate which disputes the suggestion that crime and anti-social behaviour will rise and says no justification has been given for the objection.

A planning inspector will organise a site visit and hear representations from both sides before upholding or dismissing the appeal.

Wychavon's area planning officer Mike Hurst said: "It's quite rare for planning permission to be refused on public disorder so it will be an interesting case."

No one from Avonhall was available to comment.