PLANS to demolish garages in Southend and replace them with houses and a three-storey block of flats have been thrown out by the city council.

An application was submitted to the council on August 14 concerning the rear of 593-599 Southchurch Road.

The proposal was to demolish the existing garages, which were constructed between 1922 and 1939, and put up a block containing two one-bed and two two-bed units.

In addition, two two-storey semi-detached houses, parking, amenity space, bin and cycle storage were also planned.

Matt Dent, Kursaal ward Labour councillor said: “As a development, it would have been over-looking into the neighbouring properties.

“The issue was the size would have had a great impact on the people already living in the neighbourhood and was a step too far.

“If the developers want to take on the feedback in the reasons for refusal and submit a new plan, they can do that.”

Planning permission was refused as it would “appear as a contrived and incongruous addition to the significant detriment of the character and appearance of the site, street scene and wider area”.

Also, the first-floor windows serving flat two to the proposed amenity space serving one of the semi-detached houses give “rise to an actual and perceived sense of overlooking and loss of privacy harmful to the amenity of its future occupants”.

Refusing the application, planning officers said: “Having taken all material planning considerations into account, it is found that the proposed development would be unacceptable as its impact on the amenity of future occupants and occupants of neighbouring dwellings would be unacceptable and contrary to the objectives of the relevant development plan policies and guidance.

“Whilst the development would add to the housing supply of the city, and this has been taken into account in the assessment, the addition of six dwellings would have a minimal impact and as such this is not considered to outweigh the significant harm identified.

“For the above reasons, the proposed development is unacceptable and fails to comply with planning policy.

“The application is therefore recommended for refusal.”