A bid to increase the number of homes planned for the former Denbury Diesel garage site, West Street, Denbury, has failed.

Planning permission for 10 houses with parking was granted in August 2000, but to date the site remains undeveloped save for a new rear boundary wall, the construction of which safeguards the existing permission.

A revised application for the same number of homes but with higher roofs was refused in January 2005 on the grounds it would be out of keeping and overbearing. The latest application submitted to Teignbridge Development Control Committee on Monday, by Denbury Diesels Ltd is for 10 houses and one flat with overall parking for 19 cars reached via an archway under the flat.

The roof height is higher than that already given approval for in order to allow rooms to be built into the roof spaces. Despite an officer's recommendation that, subject to conditions, the plans be approved, there were objections. A resident of 30 years, Paul Griffin, said the three-storey design was 'more appropriate to a town centre site, not a pretty village'. Cllr Mary Colclough said the application was 'a most difficult one to judge' as, although she was keen to rid the village of the 'eyesore' garage, its replacement must be chosen with care. 'This isn't what the people nor the village of Denbury require,' she concluded. Many of her colleagues agreed, including Cllr Chris Clarance, who described the plot as a 'landmark site'. Cllr Brian Berman said of the developer: 'They're just trying for something else.' Despite some support for the scheme, councillors voted 20-3 to refuse permission.