PLANS to create flats for keyworkers in Newquay have been refused following concerns the scheme is too ugly.

Cornwall Council planners rejected a planning application for the conversion and partial demolition of 23 and 25 Berry Road, which included construction of an additional storey and extension of 10 existing one bed flats to form 15 one bed flats.

The planning officer turned down the scheme despite Newquay Town Council and residents not objecting to the plans after concluding it would become an “unduly overbearing” and “oppressive presence.”

The planning officer added the scheme would result in a “dominant” and “jarring” feature to the detriment of the street scene. Concerns were also raised the development would fail to provide adequate living conditions for prospective occupiers.

The town council planning committee did not object to the scheme despite members stating they did felt the height and mass of the building was “far greater” than that of the remaining buildings in the street. The committee also raised concerns the white render on the building is unlikely to age well and suggested another colour.

Neighbour Christine Howard was supportive of the plans as part of the public consultation. She said: “I can't foresee any objection to the proposal, as it looks to be a good plan and an improvement to the street.”

Cura Living with Nature, on behalf of the applicant Nicholas Emanuel Barnick Homes, said: “This application provides an opportunity for the council to provide additional accommodation for key workers in Newquay, makes a positive impact on the urban fabric and meets town centre planning policy objectives.

“The site is ideal for key workers and in terms of sustainability as it is located close to many amenities: the train station, bus routes, supermarkets beaches schools and town centre.”

Chief planning officer Louise Wood in the decision notice stated: “By reason of its scale and architectural form, the proposed development would result in an imposing form of development that would read as a dominant and jarring feature to the detriment of the street scene and roof scape, that would fail to respect the character of and would be unsympathetic to the surrounding area.

“Furthermore, the proposal would through the additional mass and bulk result in loss of light and form an unduly overbearing and oppressive presence that would unreasonably compromise the living conditions enjoyed by the occupiers of the adjacent first floor flat at no. 19-21 Berry Road, and those at the first and second floor flats at the neighbouring property to the south 27 Berry Road, unacceptably harming their current levels of amenity.

“Additionally, in respect of future occupiers, owing to the constrained internal space proposed, the scheme would fail to provide adequate living conditions for prospective occupiers.

“Whilst generating positive social, economic and environmental benefits, the identified adverse effects with respect to character and amenity impacts would substantially outweigh the benefits associated with the proposed development.

“Accordingly, the proposal does not represent good design and does not amount to sustainable development.”