AN appeal against a decision to dismiss housing plans to build 36 sheltered apartments for the elderly, in priory road, Alcester, has been rejected by a planning inspectorate.

The decision to block Churchill Retirement Living's appeal was made by inspector Frances Mahoney, on Wednesday, November 5.

The report said: “The loss of the three existing dwellings would not diminish the quality or character of this part of the town. It is the quality of design and scale of the proposed building to replace them which is in contention in this case.”

“Alcester benefits from a good range of services and facilities along with ready access to public transport. Therefore, in respect of location and a movement to a low carbon economy, the sustainability of the appeal site is a positive factor.

“However, I am conscious that the harm identified to the character and appearance of the surrounding area, having regard to the setting of the neighbouring listed buildings and the Alcester Conservation Area is a negative factor of such weight that it significantly and demonstrably outweighs the positive roles in the assessment of sustainability.

“For this reason I conclude the appeal proposal, in its present form, does not amount to sustainable development.

“None of the benefits of the scheme identified above are of sufficient advantage as would outweigh the unacceptable level of harm identified to; the character and significance of the

heritage assets, in particular their settings and the wider surroundings; and the unsustainable nature of the development.”

In contrast the inspector did add that sheltered housing would contribute by providing a supply of housing to meet the needs of present and future generation and the development would create jobs.

Mike Cargill, Stratford District and Alcester Town Councillor, said: “It would be detrimental to the character of Alcester.

“It was an inappropriate development for Alcester.”

He also added that the proposed development was a large monolithic building which would have been situated in front of some of the oldest buildings in the town.

Andrew Burgess, planning director of Churchill Retirement Living, said: “We are disappointed at the reaction. We are considering a revised proposal based on the comments of the inspector.”