PEOPLE power has stopped an "out of character" development being built on the edge of Rawdon Littlemoor Home Zone.

Leeds planners have actually approved contentious plans to create a new block of flats on a former petrol station site at New Road Side - but only on condition that the most controversial part of the buildings, their height, is reduced.

Buzzard Property Developments submitted its application to build 14 part two storey, part three storey flats in the area, which provoked 96 written objections, last summer.

Last Thursday Leeds Plans Panel (West) heard that Buzzard had agreed to change its building materials to natural stone and slate so the new flats would better match existing properties.

Principal planning officer Martin Sellens said that left only one real sticking point. "The issue now is whether the three storey element is acceptable or not," he said.

The developer had also hoped to appease concerns by setting back the three storey part of the flats by just over a metre, but the panel was not convinced.

Neither was Rawdon Littlemoor resident Margaret Thompson, who spoke on behalf of the objectors. She told the panel: "You have an important decision to make which will last for many years and affect the future of the neighbourhood. The application is identical to one withdrawn in 2003 when planning officers said it would be an over development and would be refused.

"Nothing has changed - this is still over development, still out of character and the very minor modifications which have been made make no difference to the main objections. The scheme is too tall, far too obtrusive, out of scale, out of character and we urge you to reject it."

Mrs Thompson also claimed the 18 car parking spaces planned for the flats would be inadequate and pointed out there was no on-street parking allowed in the area. And she said the design would clash with the Home Zone ethos, which is all about improving the look and safety of the neighbourhood.

A spokesman for Buzzard, however, warned the panel that the firm was becoming impatient. He said: "We have tried to accommodate concerns and we're aware there are concerns. We accept there are a lot of two storey cottages in the area but that's not all there is.

"This debate is all about whether the two, three storey flats are acceptable and we think they are. We're confident that if the matter went to appeal we would win."

It was panel chairman Councillor Eileen Moxon (Lab, Chapel Allerton) who suggested a compromise which would see the bulk of the plans approved but the three-storey element removed.

"I have visited and passed this site several times and taken a very careful look at the surrounding dwellings," she said, "and it's very clear to me that the habitation in this area is very predominantly two storey and traditional. I would like to suggest that all the dwellings for this development be two storey."

Most of the panel agreed that the three-storey element was not acceptable, but around half wanted to reject the plans wholesale.

Coun Stuart Andrew (Con, Aireborough) said: "We really do need this site developed because it's become a bit of an eyesore but that's not an excuse for us to just accept anything.

"I just think it's over-development and I would like to see it reduced much more. I think we need a better design than this."

Coun Brian Jennings (Lib Dem, Weetwood) went even further. "This is cheap, it's not particularly cheerful, it's over intensive and we've had no response to our car parking concerns," he said.

"Having 14 flats is totally unacceptable."

Coun Ted Hanley (Lab, Bramley) said the sheer weight of concern in the area, including opposition from ward councillors and MP Paul Truswell, could not be ignored.

In the end Coun Moxon's two-storey only proposal was passed on her casting vote. Work on the site has now begun.