A BID to demolish a pub and build 14 flats in its place has been refused.

The CBHA company had wanted to knock down the Woodhouse Tavern, in Harrow Road, Leytonstone, and erect a building up to four storeys tall.

But council officers rejected the application, saying they would result in a loss of "social infrastructure" in southern Leytonstone, and that the plans did not include enough off-street car parking spaces for the 14 flats.

They also said the proposed new building was too bulky and would over-dominate the surrounding area.