A SCHEME to erect six self-contained flats in Harrogate town centre with "modest" balconies has been narrowly rejected by planners.

It was the third time property consultants Appleton Estates has seen plans for flats, to be built on the site to the rear of Parliament Street, with access off Union Street, refused.

Members of Harrogate Borough Council voted by eight votes to seven to reject the plans.

Under the scheme, there would have been two one bedroomed apartments, three two-bedroomed apartments and one with three bedrooms.

Since refusal of a scheme in November last year, the developer met planning officers to discuss revisions.

This included replacing balconies originally planned with more modest Juliet balconies.

However, the scheme was rejected after councillors were told the flats would provide an "unacceptable level of amenity" for potential residents.

An objection was submitted by Peter Gothard's hairdressing salon, in Parliament Street, along with a petition containing 200 signatures.