AN appeal against the refusal of a controversial plan to build flats on a burnt-out nursing home has been rejected.

Earlier this year, hundreds of people signed a petition to block the proposal for the site of the former Nessfield Retirement Home, in Morton Carr Lane, Nunthorpe, Middlesbrough.

The application, from Dunelm Lifestyle Homes, was rejected by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's planning committee as out-of scale and detrimental to the area's character.

Now planning inspector Karen McCabe has backed the authority's decision in June.

In her ruling, she said: "While I have found that the appeal scheme would not have a detrimental effect on living conditions, highway capacity and safety and bio-diversity, I do not judge this to be sufficient to outweigh the significant harm that would be caused to the character and appearance of the locality.

"I have had regard to all the other matters raised, but find nothing to alter my conclusion that the appeal must therefore fail."

The inspector raised concerns about the size and scale of the proposed development but, despite that, she did not believe it would have impacted on privacy of people living in the surrounding properties.

She said: "Considerable local concern has been expressed about this proposal. However, having carefully considered the relationship of the development with the surrounding dwellings, I am satisfied that it would not lead to an unacceptable loss of privacy for neighbouring occupiers."

It is the third time in recent years that an application has been submitted for the site.

In 2005, a planning inspector upheld the council's refusal to give permission for a 41-flat scheme on the site.

Bett Homes wanted to build a four-floor complex on the land, and lodged an appeal after the council refused planning permission.

But the appeal was dismissed.

Another application was submitted, only to be withdrawn before it could be considered by planners.

For the application in June, nearly 1,000 people signed a protest petition and there were 83 letters of protest against the scheme.

No one was available for comment at Dunelm Lifestyle Homes last night.