PLANS to build a controversial new flat development have been put on ice by councillors, who condemned the newly-submitted designs as "cheap and nasty".

City of York Council's west area planning committee yesterday declined to give the go-ahead to a new plan from builders Barratts for the Shelley House - despite agreeing an original proposal for 59 flats on the Acomb Road site.

Now the number of flats proposed for the site has been increased to 67 - but it was not this rise which worried councillors.

"To me it is just a cheaper looking design," said Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, who also described the design as "cheap and nasty".

She added: "The original plan had features which joined in with the area, it had character and in 20 years it would fade in nicely with the area.

"But this design is just flat, soulless. It looks like a boring hotel, there is really just nothing to it."

Coun Martin Bartlett said: "What seems to have happened here is that we have agreed an attractive building but it has been replaced by something that looks very cheap. The loss of the high, pitched roof is clear evidence of that."

Coun David Livesley said: "We are seeing this happen again and again, we agree plans then people come back asking for more and doing it cheaper, and it seems they just want to maximise their profits."

But Coun Steve Galloway said: "I think we are making heavy weather of it all. I would be happy for the officers to dispose of it."

Barratts land executive Mark Newby said: "We have worked extensively with the City of York conservation architect, who helped us design these plans.

"We would not wish to change the plans again as we have already had extensive discussions, and are happy with what we have come up with," he said.

The committee voted to defer a decision on the plans, calling for the developer to return with more interesting and attractive designs.

Today a Barratts spokesman said: "We are disappointed that the scheme, which had been agreed with planning officers, was unacceptable to committee members.

"We will continue to work with all parties and we are confident that we can come up with a design which will be suitable for everyone."

Updated: 14:32 Friday, October 17, 2003