Plans to open PetersfieldÕs first cyber-cafe have suffered a huge setback this week after district planners refused to grant planning permission.

Petersfield businessman Soyful Haque had hoped to transform the former embroidery shop at 4 College Street into an internet cafe complete with game playing facilities and an IT training centre.

But Mr Haque, who owns HaqueÕs, the designer clothing store in Lavant Street, will have to halt work on the new cafe after district planners refused permission for changes to the listed building.

The application to change the use of the shop to a restaurant has also been refused but East Hampshire District Council case officer, Joanne Riley, insisted that they were not against the idea of an internet cafe and said: ÒAn internet cafe would be quite useful for the young people of the town.Ó

The plans had received the full backing of the town council who felt that it would provide a much needed facility for youngsters.

Chairman of the townÕs planning committee, George Watkinson, said: ÒI think it is quite a good use. It is something kids have been asking for, for a very long time.Ó

But the application did attract 20 Ôcarbon-copyÕ objection letters. These were from residents across the town who stated that Petersfield had enough ÔrestaurantsÕ already.

But Miss Riley stated that this did not form a reason for refusal.

The listed building alterations were refused because the Òproposed development is unacceptable by reason of excessive alterations and loss of architectural featuresÓ.

The change of use was turned down on access grounds.

Mr Haque had hoped to have the new venture up and running by the end of the month but now EHDC will tell him to halt the building work.

His plans for the College Street shop included a cafe, selling hot and cold drinks and snacks, complete with 14 computers, eight providing internet access and six for game playing.

The upstairs would be converted into an IT training centre with 12 computers. In order to make the plans a reality, Mr Haque wanted to replace the existing rear extension and introduce disabled access.

But Miss Riley said they will be inviting him to re-apply for permission and hope that the issues can be resolved.

The Petersfield cafe was set to be the first of a chain of three in the area.