CAMPAIGNING residents who told civic chiefs that building three flats on an Eastleigh garden would "stick out like a sore thumb" are celebrating after a planning application was thrown out.

Thirty letters of objection were sent to Eastleigh Council over a bid to build a two-storey block of flats on land at the rear of 22 and 23 Birch Grove, Boyatt Wood.

Neighbours also turned out in force when the application came before Eastleigh Council's Local Area Committee.

Residents objected on the grounds that the site was too small to accommodate such a large building and that it would be out of character with existing properties in the road.

They also claimed trees and local wildlife would be affected, that the proposal would cause traffic and parking problems, result in loss of privacy and add to existing drainage problems.

Councillors were told the application was to build on a site comprising the side gardens of two maisonettes which was currently grassed and occupied by a pair of garages.

A spokesman for the residents claimed the proposed development was totally out of character with the area and added: "Should this planning application be passed, the result would be a building that would totally dominate the area and overpower neighbouring homes."

Speaking in favour of the scheme, former borough councillor Bill Luffman said that the application was in line with both government and Eastleigh Council policies and that none of the council's departmental heads had objected to the development.

But councillors voted to refuse permission saying it was an unacceptable overdevelopment of the plot which would result in a cramped and congested site layout.

Councillor Chris Thomas said: "This thing is hideously out of character with the rest of the road. It looks like an ideal holiday cottage somewhere in a woodland."