BUILDING a three-storey block of 14 apartments on a garage site in Great Ayton would turn Newton Road into a dark and dismal canyon, the parish council claimed this week.

At its meeting on Tuesday, it described the planned building as too high and inappropriate for the location, which is currently the AMR Autos petrol station and garage.

The site is next to the junction of Roseberry Crescent, Wheatlands and Newton Road.

The amended plan was submitted by the applicant, Mr A M Reed, and designed by JHS Town Planners of Yarm.

Parish chairman, Coun John Fletcher, explained that the roof line of the proposed apartment block had been lowered, thereby incorporating the third floor rooms within the roof space. Dormer windows were proposed for this floor, rather than full-sized windows.

Commenting on the plan, he said: "There would be some difficulty with this because there are three-storey buildings nearby. This would create a dark, dismal canyon. Newton Road would look like a city street. This is a road which has smaller terrace houses, bungalows and trees along it. This plan is not what this village is about."

Coun John Bell thought there was a demand for smaller flats but felt the proposed density of this block was an issue: "I am not against starter homes, but we would want fewer flats on that site. I think builders often try to get as many flats as possible on to sites.

"This would be acceptable on a smaller scale if they dropped the height of the roof."

Coun June Imeson thought the proposed flats were probably no higher than other flats nearby, but it was the overall effect of the development on Newton Road, Wheatlands and Roseberry Crescent which concerned her.

"I don't think this is an attractive development and I don't think they have considered the bungalows behind the site.

"This would be overpowering. We are not against development but a better plan could be found."

Coun Frances Greenwell said: "I like the style of the building but it is too big for the site. These are two- and three-bedroom flats, not starter homes."

The plan was recommended for refusal.