COUNCILLORS turned down plans to build a block of flats after a former judge described the scheme as a "Neapolitan slum".

Southend Council's development control committee heard plans to knock down a former private girls school in Crowstone Road, Westcliff, and replace it with a three-storey block of 12 one-bedroom flats.

There were 39 objections to the scheme from residents, who feel the scheme would be out of character with the local area which consists primarily of Edwardian buildings.

The application was unanimously refused after councillors followed the advice of officers who described the proposal as "bland, bulky and monotonous".

Published Friday, December 2, 2005