PLANS to build a block of eight flats in Boscombe have been rejected.

Bournemouth council officers said the scheme for 35-35a St Clement's Road was "unsympathetic" and out of keeping with the surrounding

area.

In particular, the council's heritage officer raised concern about the visual impact of the block on the nearby Grade I listed St Clement's Church.

A report by planning officer Richard Cable said: "Whilst the harm to the significance of the setting may be less than substantial, this is still harmful and has not been justified nor is not balanced out by public benefit."

The report also criticises "substandard" living space, a lack of amenity space for residents and states: "Having regard to the intensification of vehicular/associated activity along the access and rear of the site the scheme would be considered to have a degrading impact on the amenities of the occupiers by reason of intrusive noise and disturbance."