SCALED back plans for a controversial development in Highcliffe have been labelled as "ill-conceived" and rejected by council planning officers following almost 200 objections to the scheme.

The proposals for land at Jesmond Avenue sought outline consent for development of up to 35 homes and a care home with 68 beds.

Applicants Brentland Ltd initially proposed building 40 homes and a 90-bed care home, but this was reduced in an attempt to secure planning permission.

However, a substantial outcry from residents through a total of 193 objections has contributed to the overall refusal of the scheme.

Themes of the objections picked out by the case officer include loss of trees, flood risk, loss of visual amenity and impact on local character

The report produced by a member of Christchurch Borough Council's planning department says the proposal is "ill-conceived and does not comprise sustainable development".

The report adds: "Despite being a complex development site, the proposal is significantly lacking in suitably robust evidence and mitigation in relation to fluvial and surface water flooding, and biodiversity.

"In the basis of the information that is available the Local Planning Authority cannot conclude that the development could be suitably accommodated without an adverse impact on flood risk, protected species, protected trees and the character of the site and surrounding area. "Insufficient information has been provided with regard to housing mix, affordable housing tenure and the care home."

The site of the rejected scheme was previously considered for a bypass, with the land being sold to Hampshire Highways by Boyland and Son, of which Brentland Ltd is a part, in 1964 as part of a compulsory purchase order to build the Highcliffe Bypass.

The carriageway was never built and Peter Boyland, owner of Boyland and Son, began writing to the authority asking to buy his land back.