"TINKERING with the design" failed to win over planning councillors who have rejected a revised scheme to redevelop a landmark site in Highcliffe with a supermarket and sheltered flats complex.

Now the fate of the former Seward Garage premises will be decided following a public inquiry next month into an appeal by developers McCarthy and Stone against the refusal of an earlier scheme.

Christchurch council's regulatory committee in February ruled the proposals for a Tesco Express convenience store with seven first-floor housing association flats fronting Lymington Road and a three-storey block of 41 sheltered apartments along Gordon Road was too big and bulky.

And last Thursday the renamed planning control committee took the same view over the revised scheme which had pared just one flat from the design for Gordon Road and reduced the roof heights of the apartment block and supermarket.

Committee vice-chairman and Highcliffe ward councillor Malcolm Mawbey said the proposals had been strongly criticised by the architects panel and the changes made since February were "merely tinkering" which had not overcome concerns over the size and design of a building on a prominent site.

"It will be very visible and very oppressive," he said.

Cllr Chris Legg branded the design "architecturally barren" and an attempt by the developers to get the maximum from the site without regard to the quality of life of the future occupants of the flats.

Ward councillor John Lofts also raised fears the development would add to traffic congestion in Lymington Road and worsen long-standing land drainage problems in that area.

Concerns over the density of development and "totally inadequate" parking provision were voiced by neighbouring resident John Michael Smith, who told the committee: "We are not against development of the site per se but we are anxious that it should be in keeping with the centre of Highcliffe."

The inquiry into McCarthy and Stone's appeal against the refusal of the previous scheme is due to open on November 9 and take three days to hear.

First published: October 18