Developers hoping to transform the former Adamson’s MOT garage into flats have had their appeal for planning permission rejected.

Dover District Council turned down Foster and Payne’s application to build 13 flats and four maisonettes on the West Street site last April.

The planning inspectorate have also dismissed their appeal, citing the overlooking of nearby properties and concerns over the design as reasons.

Not deterred, developers are continuing forward with an amended plan and in their negotiations with The Anchor Action Group, have agreed to reduce the total number for the MPT site to reduce to 14 properties.

A spokesman for Foster and Payne said: “We have taken on board the comments from Dover District Council’s planning committee and the planning inspector and submitted amended plans to address the matters raised on our previous application.

“We engaged with local residents to present the updated proposals and the plans are currently being considered by the council.”

The new scheme, which has been named The Beacon, includes more brickwork and flint to reflect the construction of homes in the area.

Frosted glass will be used in windows on the first and second floors facing Anchor Lane, protecting the privacy of neighbours.

The proposals also include the resurfacing of Anchor Lane and works to improve the road’s drainage system.

A car-free scheme has been promoted from the onset, meaning no provision for vehicles is provided.

The developers claim this is because of the close proximity to town and public transport.

Storage for 34 bicycles is included in the scheme.

The spokesman added: “We have also recently received positive feedback from local stakeholder groups regarding further design changes, which better reflect the character of the area, and we hope to submit updated drawings to the council in the coming weeks.

“This brownfield site is in a sustainable location in the town centre and is therefore a great location for new homes.

“We are confident that our revised proposals provide a design in keeping with the local area and will enable the site to be brought back into positive use.”

Foster and Payne has liaised with TAAG whose sefretary Tony Starr said: “Representatives of F&P have recently met with TAAG’s James Tillitt and Robin Green with a tentative new proposal for the Garage site, accompanied with artist’s impression drawings of the type we’ve seen before.

“Essentially they proposed to reduce the number of dwellings from 17 to 14, shift the building’s West Street frontage back somewhat from the footpath boundary and use a more traditional architectural style for the façade in red brickwork, under a pitched roof instead of the former flat roof.

“Mr Tillitt suggested the paved area planned for the forecourt of the Anchor Lane dwellings could be altered to provide more ‘drop off’ parking space for delivery vehicles.

“This would give some passing room for resident’s vehicles using the Lane and ease the ‘pinch point’ problem opposite No 2 Sunnyside Cottages. F&P’s reps undertook to consider this and arrange to meet with TAAG again.

“However, the proposal is still for a three-storey building and the drawings now show it (albeit without dimensions) considerably higher than the next door roof-line of Sainsbury’s, when viewed from West St.”

n The updated drawings are not ready for public view but will be published in The Mercury when they are finished.