Hornsea flats plan described as like council estate

The proposed flats were described as "nondescript" by Councillor John Whittle

Plans for a block of flats in a seaside town have been likened to a Hull council estate.

Councillor John Whittle described the proposed apartments in Hornsea as like "a mini Orchard Park".

The developer told an East Riding of Yorkshire Council planning meeting the building on the site of a demolished amusement arcade would "preserve the character and appearance of the area".

Councillors decided to defer a decision on the development.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Carl Chapman, speaking for applicants Pentile Construction Ltd, said the block in Broadway was designed to be in keeping with the rest of the area.

Mr Chapman told the committee its residents would be able to live less than 330ft (100m) away from the beach.

"This proposal is on a scale and of a design that would preserve the character and appearance of the area.

"They would be town centre apartments that would be very small compared to the adjacent apartment blocks," he said.

"Residents would have access to numerous areas of residential space.

"There have been no concerns raised in regards to highways safety, drainage or flood risks."

Mr Whittle described the proposed apartments as like Orchard Park Estate in Hull

But Mr Whittle claimed the apartment block was an attempt to get a much larger development through the back door.

"The scale and massing resembles a mini Orchard Park before redevelopment," he said.

"The application says it adds to an area that lacks visual interest, another way of putting it would be why make it worse.

He added: "This area forms an entry way to Hornsea, people emerging from the TransPennine Trail would find a nondescript apartment block.

"What a welcome."