PLANS to change a former dental surgery in Gorleston into five flats were refused by the borough council because the development would not fit in with the residential area, which is totally made up of houses.

PLANS to change a former dental surgery in Gorleston into five flats were refused by the borough council because the development would not fit in with the residential area, which is totally made up of houses.

Borough planning officers had earmarked the proposals on Middleton Road for approval. However, several members of Great Yarmouth's development control committee were concerned the application would be out of character for the area.

Speaking on behalf of applicant PMA Property Development, Mark Duffield said the “quality flats” would be aimed at first-time buyers and would cost less than £100,000.

The application for the property, which was originally two houses, included four two-bedroom apartments and one single-bedroom apartment as well as a roof garden. Eleven neighbours objected to the plans, many fearing their properties would be overlooked by the roof garden.

Ward councillor Colleen Walker also raised concerns over parking. She said that, while the development included parking provision, she feared that visitors to the flats would park on the roadside which was already heavily used by cars.

She said: “We would like to see the original two properties reinstated, in keeping with the area.”