EFFORTS to give an "eyesore'' building a new lease of life has been rejected by a Government planning inspector.

Inspector Kathleen Wood-ling has been criticised over her refusal to allow the conversion of a boarded-up seaside bar and restaurant into four flats.

Saltburn resident and local historian Tony Lynn said the inspector should have consulted local people before reaching her decision.

She made a site visit last month to the empty Bailey's Bar and Restaurant, which sits in a prominent position on Saltburn Bank.

Mr Lynn claims the disused building is unsightly and attracts vandals. Unable to compete with commercial seafront developments, the only economic alternative open to owner George Bailey, says Mr Lynn, is to convert the site into flats.

He said it will be tough on Mr Bailey if, following the inspector's decision, he has no option but to flatten the disused buildings.

"It is just a shame she did not come and find out the views of local people, it is an absolute shame,'' said Mr Lynn.

"The site is an eyesore, a totally disgraceful. If it was converted it would bring it back to life and the people who lived there would look after it. And a lot of people we have spoken to, would go along with that.''

Ms Woodling says the proposed conversion would involve few external alterations - all of which would be at ground level - and besides bringing a disused building back into use, would preserve the appearance on the conservation area. But she concludes in her report that conversion of the building to private residential use would undermine the recreational character of the immediate area with its beach huts, pier and watersports centre "and so would be harmful to the conservation area".