Flats plan rejected

A CAR garage owner has been told to go back to the drawing board after a plan to replace his facility with a block of art deco flats was rejected. Ian Terry, owner of Perkins Garage on Stortford Road, Dunmow, was left disappointed after Uttlesford Distric

A CAR garage owner has been told to go back to the drawing board after a plan to replace his facility with a block of art deco flats was rejected.

Ian Terry, owner of Perkins Garage on Stortford Road, Dunmow, was left disappointed after Uttlesford District Council's planning committee threw out the design, describing it as "monolithic".

He said: "We tried to keep the garages' art deco features in the design of the flats as requested when we spoke to planning officers for advice before coming up with the final drawings.

"Even though we stuck to the advice they had given us the plans were still refused; we really don't understand why. It is very frustrating."

The building would have consisted of 12 luxury apartments with off-road parking and amenity space and, although rejected, a handful of the committee did back the plans.

Cllr Keith Eden said: "The area around the garage is a complete mess; this new building design is attractive and in-keeping with the way the building looks now. I think it would be a positive plus for the town as a whole."

A majority of 10 councillors to three agreed that the building would be too big for the area and would dwarf surrounding buildings.

Dunmow mayor, Clive Smith, who is part of the committee, said: "It is one of the main entrances to town and far too big and much too close to the road. The only way I can describe it is monolithic. From the green park at the rear it will look like a huge block of flats.

"The owner is after as much cash as possible before he moves anyway."

Work at the garage will cease when employees, cars and services move to a larger site on the outskirts of Rayne.

Mr Terry has indicated that he intends to continue working on the design before submitting a fresh application.