PLANS for dozens of student flats above a row of shops in York have been turned down.

City of York Council’s planning committee rejected proposals by the owners of Matmer House, in Hull Road, to create 16 flats on the first floor of the building and add two extra storeys which would have 31 more flats.

The committee said the development would “harm the character and appearance” of the area through its design and height, and said the plans for the building were “contrived and over-complicated”.

They also said the scheme would appear “oppressive” to residents in nearby Millfield Lane and insufficient information had been provided about parking and rubbish arrangements.