A businessman's second attempt to get planning permission for a sex shop at a Norfolk village has failed - despite being tipped for approval.Father-of-three Chris Bottrell was granted a sex establishment licence at East Harling, but his bid to turn an industrial unit into a shop to sell the wares, was refused by Breckland's development control committee earlier this year.

A businessman's second attempt to get planning permission for a sex shop at a Norfolk village has failed - despite being tipped for approval.

Father-of-three Chris Bottrell was granted a sex establishment licence at East Harling, but his bid to turn an industrial unit into a shop to sell the wares, was refused by Breckland's development control committee earlier this year.

Councillors previously denied the change of use on the grounds the village had no public footpath and there was no proof the business was sustainable.

But undeterred Mr Bottrell put in a second application offering to leave the conditions governing the licence, such as opening hours, up to the councillors to decide.

And planning officials recommended the new application for approval on a temporary basis so the business could be monitored.

Officers said the proposal to turn the first floor of the industrial unit into a sex shop could not be refused on moral and social concerns.

The parish council objected on the grounds a shop would encourage prostitutes to the area and seven letters of objection were received by the district council.

On Monday councillors turned down the application on the same grounds as they did the first one, that an industrial estate is not the place for retail businesses.

Shortly after the decision was made councillor Michael Fanthorpe said: “Where do people want the shop? Do you want it in the middle of a high street where children can see?” and new council chairman, John Labouchere, added: “Not in Breckland.”