COUNCILLORS backed Hill Road residents and threw out another application by developers to build flats after neighbours protested. Residents turned out to a Waverley Borough Council meeting and were supported by councillors who voted against full planning permission, for five two bedroomed flats, to replace a house in Hill Road. The decision went against borough council planning officers who recommended approval. Outline permission had earlier been granted for the building, on land at Glengariff, 27 Hill Road, after the developers appealed. James Rapp, who lives nearby, spoke for neighbours at the meeting and was backed by councillor Margaret Borwick. He has been leading a six year campaign over a series of applications for the site, and had previously spoken out at a Haslemere Town Council planning meeting in April. Mrs Borwick was then delegated to voice the town council's concerns to Waverley, which had logged about 30 objections from neighbours. Mr Rapp said: "The comment was made at the Waverley meeting that they had made efforts to improve the design, but the committee took my view, and that of about 30 others, that this remains too bulky and big on a corner." He added: "We will do all we can to make sure that we get a building that fits in properly in the neighbourhood." At outline stage, the appeal inspector had concerns over the design and external appearance. In the latest application for full permission, the developers Premier Properties had submitted two versions of plans to Waverley and both were thrown out. They each modified the appearance of the building, but one included a porch. However this fell outside the 'footprint' approved when outline permission was allowed. The council's formal decision was: "The design of the building, by reason of its height, bulk and massing and its location on a prominent corner plot, would be out of keeping with the street scene and would not harmonise satisfactorily with the character and visual amenities of the locality." These were in conflict with Surrey Structure Plan and Waverley Borough Local Plan policies. Mrs Borwick told The Herald: "We were very pleased to get the decision, particularly as the grounds on which we can challenge are becoming narrower and narrower."