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Plans to demolish a former Sainsbury’s supermarket in Gloucester to make way for 55 flats have been deferred.

Clarehouse Developments Ltd applied for permission from the city council to redevelop 63-69 Northgate Street.

Its proposals include three blocks of apartments on Worcester Street, Northgate Street and Hare Lane, as well as retail space and a private landscaped area.

But councillors voted to defer the plans due to concerns the design does not fit in with nearby historic buildings, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

Planning officers said the scheme was on balance a good one and had recommended it for approval subject to conditions.

But the planning committee voted to defer the plans by seven votes to four on Tuesday.

The committee meeting heard from councillor Sarah Sawyer, who raised concerns over the design of the front of the building on Hare Lane.

“I feel the grey brick at the side doesn’t fit with the rest of the street," she said.

She asked for a condition that no work happened until a revised drawing was put forward.

"We are going to be stuck with this building for 50 or 70 years. It just doesn’t fit. It looks like it’s just been plonked," she added.

Concerns were also raised about parking and road safety.

Will Collins, representing the applicant, called on the committee to approve the scheme. He said the proposal would help meet the city’s housing needs and included 11 affordable homes.

The committee also heard how the developers were “very confident” the retail unit would become occupied.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.