CONCERNED residents attended a meeting to urge an inspector not to overturn a council decision preventing two blocks of flats being constructed in their road.

The appeal was heard months after an application to demolish two bungalows and build two two-storey apartment blocks and parking in Lions Lane, Ashley Heath, was rejected.

East Dorset District Council's grounds for rejecting the application in November 2003 included fears it would be detrimental to the character of the area, loss of trees, impact on a neighbouring property and fears that access that the flats would compromise highway safety.

Planners say they have not changed their minds and urged the inspector to dismiss the appeal.

A statement read to the appeal on Tuesday said: "The proposed development fails to respect the character of the area, would result in a significant increase in noise and disturbance to local residents, in particular to the properties either side and opposite.

"The proposal would result in the direct loss of significant protected trees on the site.

"None of the matters raised by the appellant at the time of the application or in the grounds of an appeal are so significant, or would result in such benefits, that they outweigh the harm that this development would cause to the character of the area, the local environment and highway safety."

But the applicants say they would be consolidating new development in a built-up area rather than using up green belt land and that the buildings would be similar in appearance to the properties surrounding them.

They say the plans place the car park at the back of the property in a bid to minimise disturbance to neighbours and that their own consultants felt the council's concern over loss of trees were unsubstantiated.

A statement prepared by their defence team for the hearing said the plans "fully satisfy national planning policy guidelines".

It added: "The character of the area is not harmed by the appeal proposals and the amenities of existing residents are preserved."

The inspector will announce his decision in the coming weeks.

First published: October 18