Plans to demolish a block of empty flats in a west Suffolk town have been refused. 

In June, applicant M and D Developments submitted plans to knock down the Goodfellows site at 139 Kings Road in Bury St Edmunds in June. 

The three-storey building was built by Havebury Housing in 2008 but the 12 flats have been empty since 2021 after "issues" were found. 

The plans, which would have seen the building demolished and the creation of three one-bedroom apartments, three two-bedroom apartments and three houses with three bedrooms, were refused by West Suffolk Council on Monday. 

As part of the planning document the developers said the costs to complete the necessary repairs would not be economical.

The council's conservation team voiced concerns that the project regarding the scale and design of the building and that the eastern and southern elevations in particular will neither preserve or enhance the setting of either the conservation area and listed buildings.

M and D Developments will be able to appeal the decision.