Controversial plans to turn two Bath restaurants into shops and to convert retail space into a cafe area have been withdrawn.

The L&R Group yesterday pulled its planning application for its Milsom Place shopping centre after being told by planning officials it was being recommended for refusal.

Bath and North East Somerset Council was set to reject the plan on the grounds of the loss retail units in what it calls a primary shopping frontage, and because of uncertainty over the impact on listed buildings in the centre between Broad Street and Milsom Street.

More than 1,000 people had signed a petition organised by the Solo and Le Parisien restaurants against the plans.

* More on this in next week's Chronicle