Planning chiefs have refused proposals to revamp a former launderette site because it is bigger than the original building.

Gosport Borough Council has rejected the plans for a 3.5-storey building of a shop and flats in Lee-on-the-Solent.

Applicant Gregory Plunkett of JP Developments Ltd wanted to create three flats instead of two above a new shop at 139 High Street.

The previous building was two-storeys high with a flat roof and originally had a laundrette on the ground floor with residential accommodation above, prior to its demolition.

139 High Street, Lee-on-the-Solent now139 High Street, Lee-on-the-Solent now (Image: Google Maps) The officer’s report said plans were refused because it was too big, and would result in an unsympathetic development for the site.

The new building would not fit visually with neighbouring buildings, officers added.

READ MORE: New plans to turn former bank into flats approved

Planning permission - now expired - was previously granted for a two-storey building with a shop and flats within the roof in 2021.

The new application made the building even taller from 2.5-storey to a 3.5-storey.

As well as being too tall, the decision report said the building would need five car parking spaces for the proposed flats not including visitor spaces. 

The shop would also need two parking spaces where there had been none before.

Plans were also refused because the one-bedroom flat in the roof space was considered too small for a living space and an overdevelopment of the site.