A SEAFRONT scheme to build a gym, flats and retail block has been rejected by a narrow vote at a council planning meeting.

The proposal for a new four-storey building sparked fears about creating “one of Seaham’s tallest buildings”, and exacerbating parking issues in the County Durham town.

A two-storey gym, four flats and three retail units were planned for the corner of Tempest Road and North Terrace. Developer David Gill said it would bring more than 80 jobs.

Planning officers considered the proposal acceptable and recommended it for approval.

But it drew 64 objections citing concerns about scale, parking, traffic, road safety, peace, privacy, noise, light and impact on the conservation area.

Cllr Kevin Shaw said the proposed building was “overbearing and unsympathetic”.

He told the Durham County Council planning committee: “Seaham Town Council stand unanimously opposed to this development in its current form.

“The residents themselves oppose it. It’s simply the wrong development in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

He said the town had more than 20,000 residents and a prosperous town centre which attracted more than 300,000 visitors a year.

“What Seaham does not have is a designated town centre car park,” he added.

“The town centre car parking cannot meet current demand.”

He said separate proposals for a new leisure centre could be a “once in a lifetime opportunity” to resolve the parking problem.

Objector Gary Maughan said: “My family home is just a few metres away from the proposed development.

“Just by its sheer size and height it would negatively impact the view. It would tower above the neighbouring Victorian and Georgian residential properties.

“The development is inappropriate in terms of its size and scale, and I really can’t emphasise how much bigger this building is when compared with the surrounding buildings.

“It would impair and deteriorate key views and spoil the peace and privacy of immediate neighbours, and the area cannot support the additional parking.

“We strongly feel allowing the development to go ahead in its current form is a mistake.

“This building will end up being one of Seaham’s tallest buildings with a prominent seafront corner plot in a key part of the conservation area.”

Andrew Moss, speaking for the applicant, said the development would enhance the character of the conservation area.

Cllr Carl Marshall said: “We can’t in my view put on to a local developer the issue of parking which pre-exists.

“I think the council needs to grasp the nettle and work with the town council and residents to overcome those challenges.”

The committee was split 5-5 on whether to defer the vote. Meeting chairman Cllr David Freeman had the casting vote and opted to decide the matter.

Councillors voted 5-4 to refuse the planning application.

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