THE company behind a major regeneration project for a Louth town centre street has lodged an appeal against its planning refusal.

The £5 million retail complex proposed for Louth's Queen Street was refused by East Lindsey District Council's Planning Committee in March.

Developers Park Broom Homes Ltd have now lodged an appeal with the secretary of state against the refusal.

The complex, if the appeal is successful, will consist of four retail units on the site of the existing doctors' surgery. The surgery would be relocated to the existing garage with the funeral parlour converted into office accommodation.

There is also a provision for a new public space and alterations to the existing car park.

The development was opposed by local residents as well as Louth Town Council and Neil Ingham, of Park Broom Homes, explained lodging the appeal is part of the next stage in the planning process.

He said: "It went to committee with a recommendation for approval by the planning officers. It was dismissed by the planning committee, even though we had undergone careful discussions with the local planning authority.

"The application remains as it was. It is in the right place and it is the right thing for Louth.

"We obviously disagree with the decision by the planning committee, so now we hope the appeal will be upheld."