PLANS to build a four-storey flat block on a former Southend prep school have been rejected because it would provide “unacceptable living conditions” for future occupants.

The council’s development committee rejected the proposal that would have seen a block of 20 flats built on the site of Crowstone Preparatory School, in Westcliff.

Planning officers had already recommended that the plans be rejected due to numerous concerns which included a limited amount of natural light within several flats creating what the officers called “substandard living conditions”.

Speaking at Wednesday’s meeting, councillor Stephen Habermel, of the Chalkwell ward, noted that the mix of flats and the size of the development would be an issue.

“It’s forward of the building line which will look a little odd to the other houses, which it dwarfs on both sides, and it fails on dwelling mix with regards to homes that the borough actually needs,” he said.

The flats would have been primarily two-bedroom, despite the greatest need in the borough being three-bedroom, and there are no plans for one-bedroom or four-bedroom flats.

The planning report states that this is contrary to the government’s housing guidelines which require there to be a mix of homes, including family housing that reflects the borough’s needs.

The proposal also failed to include any provision for affordable housing and lacked any plans for contributing towards local educations facilities despite all nearby schools being oversubscribed.

Further concerns were expressed by residents in the area who commented in a public consultation that the plans would lead to road congestion, noise and disturbances, and air pollution.

Summing up the decision, a planning officer said: “This proposal has an unacceptable dwelling mix and provides unacceptable living conditions for the future occupants.”

The application was the second to be submitted by developer BESB Contracts having had a previous plan rejected in April due to the impact it would have on green space and road access. The flats were also considered to be too small and cramped and the development would have been too large.