COUNCILLORS dismissed an Appleton planning application as being "intrusive and totally alien", at a committee meeting on Wednesday last week.

The borough's development control committee unanimously refused planning permission for the relocation of a garage and an amended forecourt, on Cann Lane, after Clr Celia Jordan said that the design of the garage, with a high-pitched roof and steeple, "was designed to get up the nose of residents".

The applicant said that the proposed development had many attractive features, that it would improve the surrounding street scene, and that it complied with every relevant planning policy.

Planning officer Andrew McDonough said that the belfry tower was a noticeable feature, but there was no strong design theme along Cann Lane to prevent the application from going ahead.

But an objecting neighbour, in Oakview House, called the application "contrived" and complained about its height, claiming that the garage would be higher than their first floor window.