Flats plan rejected after residents object

PLANS for a five-storey block of flats in Stockbridge have been rejected following objections from local residents.

Greenland Developments wanted to create the block - containing 12 flats - on a car park at Veitch's Square, which used to be owned by the city council.

Council planning officials recommended that the plans were given the go-ahead, only for councillors to reject them at a planning meeting. It is the second time that plans for the site have been rejected.

Local councillor Lesley Hinds said: "People are not against all development on this site, they were just concerned about the height of the building.

"I'm pleased that the planning committee rejected the application because of the amount of objections."

The plans would have seen two double bedrooms being built in every flat, alongside 16 cycle parking spaces - which weren't included in the original scheme for the site.

John Bury, the council's head of planning, had previously said: "The proposed design and layout of the building is acceptable and will preserve and enhance the character of the conservation area. There will be no adverse impact on the residential amenity of the neighbouring properties."