CONTROVERSIAL plans for the development of flats and houses in a Doncaster village have been thrown out after a plea by residents.
Doncaster Council's planning committee voted against the proposed development in Sprotbrough for five three-storey detached houses and a block of nine apartments built in a rolling garden behind a house on Park Drive.
Councillors rejected the scheme because they agreed with residents that developers Lovel Cooper Limited's project was out of keeping with the character of the area and over intensive.
George Napier, who lives next door to the house where the garden would have been developed, made an appeal to councillors to reject the plans.
He told them the scheme would have seen an access road built within just a few yards of his own home and he feared if the plans went ahead more homes could follow.
Mr Napier said he opposed the scheme on behalf of all the objectors - including the writers of 32 letters against the scheme and Sprotbrough Parish Council.
He said: "The new road would pass within five metres of the wall of my house, and it is considered that this will not cause an detriment to my enjoyment and amenity. I can't accept that is a reasonable argument.
"The parish council, the urban development officer and many of the residents have raised objections.
"Sprotbrough Millennium Footpath passes the end of the development and the block of flats would totally dominate it."
If the scheme went ahead he feared there could be another 50 houses built along the drive.
Asked if there were other flats near the proposed site, council planning officer Gareth Stent said there had been plans for some near the A1(M) but they had been turned down for planning permission.
Coun Eric Tatton-Kelly said: "Sprotbrough Parish Council feels this is out of character and I think we should listen to the local people.
"I think the whole development is too much and goes to far."
Coun Edwin Simpson added: "It's out of character with the area. The nine flats would be unique in the area."
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