Plans for an apartment block in Colwyn Bay are set to be knocked back over fears the flats will ruin the privacy of neighbours.

An application for the development has been put in by Mr J Harvey for the site at 5 Grosvenor Road in the town.

The plans would see the existing house demolished to be replaced with an

apartment block made up of six two-bedroom self-contained units.

There would also be be eight car parking spaces and landscaping at the front accessed off Grosvenor Road as well as a landscaped garden to be used by all residents at the rear.

Similar plans had been approved by the council in 2008.

However, officers have raised concerns about a loss of privacy for neighbouring properties.

Colwyn Bay town council has also written to the committee setting out its objections including the privacy issue.

As well as the objection from the town council, there have been 21 submissions from those concerned about a loss of privacy and overshadowing of neighbouring gardens.

A report to members of the committee said: “Officers have concerns about the balconies and roof terraces proposed on the rear elevation and note that they would significantly overlook neighbouring gardens, particularly those that back on to the site along Alexandra Road and neighbouring properties along Grosvenor Road. It is noted that the layout of the building was different in the approved 2008 scheme and did not include large balconies on the rear elevation because this area was proposed as the stairway and lift shaft for the building.”

Residents have also had their say over fears the neighbouring flats would have views into their homes.

Angela Vickers said: “The proposal would lead to previously private areas being overlooked. I am concerned that the rear of this development will overlook properties in Alexandra Road. In particular, the proposed balconies to the rear appear to be an inappropriate invasion of privacy as does the extensive use of large windows in the design.”

And Sue Armstrong warned the development could ruin the community spirit in the area.

She said: “The new design is to be much larger than the existing building in height, width and depth which will mean that my property will be overshadowed by its vastness and overlooked by its occupants from its various and viewing points.

“This road has a lovely community spirit and I feel the effect of the development at this site will have an adverse effect on the character of the neighbourhood due to overcrowding of the plot.”

Officers have said that unless the privacy issue is dealt with they could not support the application.

The report concluded: “The scheme is considered acceptable in principle as a residential redevelopment of a brownfield site as a scheme appropriate for the site and its surroundings. The scheme is very similar in design and scale to that approved in 2008. Officers have raised concerns regarding the potential for overlooking and loss of privacy to neighbouring dwellings and would only support the proposal if these issues, together with highway matters, are resolved.”