PLANS to convert a former car park into flats in Durham have been rejected by councillors.

Last year, applicant Hillcrest NE Ltd applied to Durham County Council to convert the William Robson House car park in the Claypath area.

This included providing 12 apartments with four one-bedroom and eight two-bedroom spaces.

Several planning bids have been lodged for the former printworks site, where owners had initially wanted to put a total of 74 flats, including accommodation in both the car park and attic space.

However, previous applications were refused for failing to meet minimum space standards.

This week, Durham County Council’s Central and East Planning Committee turned down a fresh bid to convert the car park, in Moody’s Yard, into housing.

The building is located behind the Big Jug pub and Durham Food Store and is accessed through an archway between 83 and 84, Claypath.

In a statement, applicants argued the plans would help to reduce anti-social behaviour and rough sleeping in the car park.

The statement reads: “The car park has had to be secured to prevent access and it is proposed that, along with the conversion of William Robson House, this application can bring the entire site back into beneficial use.”

Coun David Freeman, who represents the Elvet and Gilesgate Division, said the application would create “significant landscaping problems” and impact on residents and visitors.

“It’s very difficult to imagine this being targeted at the non-student market,” he told councillors at Durham County Hall.

“I can’t imagine that anyone who isn’t a student would want to live in this location.”

Coun John Ashby, of City of Durham Parish Council, added that the plans could create issues around traffic congestion and bin collections.

Following discussion, councillors agreed with recommendations from council officers to refuse the plans.

Concerns included potential “adverse impacts” on neighbours and the loss of trees to the rear of the site, visible from Leazes Bowl.

Coun June Clark also raised concerns about construction vehicles accessing the site if plans were approved.

She added: “On that plan, It looks like something that should be attached to Durham jail, not something that people are going to be living in.”

Councillors heard planning permission exists to convert part of William Robson House site into 30 apartments under permitted development rights.

A separate application to convert the attic space of the building into apartments has also been lodged with the council and awaits decision.