Proposals for 10 studio apartments in the Key House building on Tankerville Place by the Malhotra Group have been refused.

The Jesmond Residents Association (JRA) welcomed the council decision, saying that it “reflects the wishes of many local residents”.

The JRA said it welcomed the fact that the needs of future residents were also considered. However it said it was disappointed that the impact on car parking was not considered grounds for refusal.

Councillors described the proposed scheme as “overbearing” and  “detrimental” to existing residents.

The proposal for apartments included two bedrooms which did not have any windows. Councillor David Cook, the Lord Mayor of Newcastle and vice-chair of the planning committee, told the Chronicle: “There is so much wrong with this application that I am astonished it has got this far.”

The council gave several reasons for refusing the proposal

• It would result in an “overbearing and imposing structure harmful to the spaciousness of the street scene within the Brandling Village Conservation Area restricting views within, into and out of the Conservation Area”.

• The design and internal arrangement of units would “result in substandard access, level of outlook and amenity for future occupants”.

• Proposed extensions would by reason of scale “result in a detrimental impact upon the amenity and outlook of those existing residents surrounding the site”.

JesmondLocal contacted both the planning agent, Lichfields and the Malhotra Group for comment, but they have yet to respond.

The application is available to view onthe Newcastle City Council Planning Portal.