The front of a pet shop damaged in an arson attack 14 months ago has yet to be replaced after it was refused planning permission.

Paul Gander, who owns Sheppey Aquatics and Pet Supplies with wife Gabi, sought approval to replace glass panels and repaint the entrance to the Rose Street, Sheerness, business in April. Permission was refused as it would not be in keeping with the conservation area.

Dozens of animals died from the smoke after the fire in December 2012. No arrests have been made and there are no further lines of inquiry.

Mr Gander, pictured, has now put a notice up in the window along with the decision letter from the council to inform customers why the shop front has not been replaced. The 57-year-old, of Queenborough Road, Halfway, said: “It doesn’t make sense to me when you’ve got Wetherspoons down the road.

“They’re in the conservation area and they’re being allowed to completely change their shop front, whereas I’ve been told I can’t and I’m not even in the High Street.

“[Swale council] said it is not going to be in keeping with the conservation area but it’s exactly the same materials. I’m even going to keep the colour the same as the rest of the street.”

A council spokesman said the changes would have included replacing tiles below the window and bringing the entrance in line with the pavement.

He said: “The application did not propose an exact replacement. The proposal would have resulted in the removal of many of the period features seen in the existing traditional shop front.”