A CONTROVERSIAL application to build more student flats on a Colchester estate has been rejected after an appeal.

Developer Mansion House asked to build an additional 38 flats at Avon Way House, in Greenstead, Colchester, but the application was refused by Colchester Council’s planning committee earlier this year.

It has now been thrown out by a planning inspector after Mansion House appealed.

The developer was granted permission to build 81 more flats on the site last year, but the inspector decided an extra 38 would damage the quality of life for nearby residents.

The inspector dismissed the appeal because of the effect on the living conditions of people living near to the development and insufficient parking.

Councillors and residents have been campaigning against the application since it was first submitted earlier this year.

Councillor Tim Young, said: “All the ward councillors, myself, Julie Young and Tina Dopson, are absolutely delighted this decision has been made.

“We were all involved in fighting this development alongside residents and they are also delighted.

“It would have been very damaging to the quality of life of people living near to the development and the parking situation is already out of hand.”

A resident of Pickford Walk added: “I am very pleased this application has been refused once and for all. My husband and I have attended all the meetings about this and we had serious concerns the view from our house would be completely obscured.

“These flats would have been so close you could have seen what people were having for lunch.

“It is a huge relief that they won’t get built.”

Work to build the 81 flats on the site, which already has 74 units for students, will begin in the New Year.