A HOUSING scheme for vulnerable people has been thrown out.
The borough planning committee unanimously rejected the proposal by Weatherstones House Care Ltd after hearing a number of objections.
The company had applied to convert a partly vacant building at Weatherstones Business Centre in Hanns Hall Road, Neston into 15 extra care housing units.
It would also have created an overnight room, office and communal lounge, and seen the installation of 10 dormer windows and 16 roof lights.
The extra care housing would have been linked to the nearby Weatherstones House nursing and residential care home which has operated since 1989, providing care for 30 people.
It would have provided independent homes for people who can no longer live in the community without a substantial degree of support.
But planning officers expressed concern about the 'very small size' of the units, suggesting they may interfere with the delivery of appropriate standards of care and exclude users with the most severe mobility problems.
The committee heard such units should be located near shops and services, yet these were not.
Cllr Myles Hogg (Con, Willaston & Thornton) said the site is 'very isolated' and badly served by public transport.
He said the development would affect the Green Belt and nearby residents, and described the disadvantages of the scheme as 'very, very substantial'.
Neighbours expressed concern over the loss of privacy, overlooking of their homes and gardens, too few parking spaces, and the site's unclear access.
Neston Civic Society said the two-storey building would be 'very intrusive' in the Green Belt.
Ellesmere Port & Neston Primary Care Trust said the units, entrance, lift and lounge appeared to be 'small', while the corridors seemed 'awkward'.
