PLANS to build eight flats and a bungalow in Barton-on-Sea have been refused over concerns the development would be “at odds” with the character of the area.

AJ Developments’ had been seeking permission to demolish the existing house in Barton Wood Road, replace It with a block of eight flats and build a two-bedroom bungalow behind it.

The proposal had drawn criticism from neighbours and New Milton Town Council who said that the scheme put forward was overdevelopment.

New Forest District Council planning officers have now refused to grant permission, describing it as “onerous and oppressive”.

Published on Thursday, the decision notice says: “The development will have a severe and harmful impact on local residential amenity by virtue of the impact of the new development on the plot.

“The development will adversely impact on privacy and will result in unacceptable levels of additional noise and disturbance.

“The large rear projecting building block will cause overshadowing and potential overlooking and be onerous and oppressive close to neighbouring boundaries.”