PLANS to build a new apartment block on the site of a former car showroom in Timperley have been unanimously thrown out by Trafford's planning development control committee.

The controversial plan for the former Aiden Piers garage on Park Road had met with fierce opposition from residents who complained of traffic congestion near the Metrolink station at the busy junction with Hawthorn Avenue.

And they handed over a petition of almost 100 signatures to the committee members despite planners recommending approval for the scheme.

Developers had wanted to build a four-storey block of 14 apartments and a two-storey block for two more flats.

But local Broadheath councillor Jane Baugh backed the residents concerns and spoke at the meeting in favour of refusal.

She says: "The proposed development for a four-storey block of flats would have resulted in neighbouring houses on Whalley Close being overlooked which would have led to a total lack of privacy.

"This was a really good example of over-development on a small site plus there was likely to be not enough car parking spaces.

"The junction at Hawthorn Avenue and Park Road is notorious for congestion with great difficulty in access onto Park Road particularly at times of peak traffic flows.

"This development would only have added to the problems that already exist and I am very pleased that the committee overturned the recommendations."

Both residents and ward councillors have called for the site to be converted into a car park for Metrolink users to ease congestion, but the company was not interested in the proposal.

Cllr Baugh goes on: "Many of the residents feel very strongly that this site should be used as a car park for Metrolink as it is directly opposite Timperley station.

"It is a very real problem in this area for traffic and I was very disappointed that Metro were not interested in this proposal as I believed that it would have been a sensible option."