OUTRAGED residents have spelled out their opposition to a planning application. They packed a meeting of Royston Town Council s planning committee to object to a plan which would see the demolition of a property and its replacement with a five-bedroom dwe

OUTRAGED residents have spelled-out their opposition to a planning application.

They packed a meeting of Royston Town Council's planning committee to object to a plan which would see the demolition of a property and its replacement with a five-bedroom dwelling.

The proposal - an amended scheme - involved developing a site in Heathfield, Royston.

Residents' spokesman Graham Benstead told the committee on Monday evening: "There has never been so much outrage from residents."

Nine residents have sent letters of protest to North Herts District Council.

Mr Benstead continued that the development would "stick out like a sore thumb" and gave the appearance of a "factory" or "office block" rather than a dwelling.

Mr Benstead pointed out that 80 per cent of residents in Heathfield were opposed to the scheme.

He said the plan showed that the proposed dwelling would be of a greater length and higher than the existing building.

He added that it would "dominate" the site on a corner of Heathfield.

Cllr Rod Kennedy, speaking as a resident rather than as a member of the planning committee, described the proposal as an "intrusion".

"It is an over-dominant building and the design is unacceptable," he said. "It is not visually acceptable."

Cllr Kennedy continued that the proposals seemed not to comply with aspects of the district council's planning policy.

He added that although the design was contemporary it did not mean that it was right for the site.

The committee decided not to support the proposal as it would be an over-development of the site.

Cllr Bill Prime, who was committee chairman for the discussion, said he had visited the site and came to the conclussion that the proposal was an over-development.

He said: "It simply does not sit in with the surrounding properties.