FLACKWELL Heath residents have defeated a plan by Michael Shanly to build a "monstrous" three-storey block of flats in the village.

Villagers opposed the developer's plans for 13 homes, including ten two-bedroom flats, one flat with a single bedroom and two semi-detached homes with garages and parking bays because it was out of keeping with their leafy and green surroundings.

Wycombe district coun-cillors rejected the revised application at a planning meeting last Wednesday, branding it as "monstro-usly over-sized" and making it the second refusal for Michael Shanly on the plot at the corner of Straight Bit and Chapman Lane. Just two councillors voted in favour of the application.

Permission for up to 18 homes was refused by the council in November, because of the high density. The developer currently appealing the decision. A Shanly spokesman said three storeys did not reflect the modest height of the proposed building, which would be screened by trees. However it would be reviewing its plans in the coming weeks.

Dave Coch, association spokesman, said residents accepted the plot would inevitably be developed.

He agreed that people were crying out for housing for pensioners and first-time buyers. Residents asked Michael Shanly to consider build-ing up to 12 small cottages instead of flats, providing residents with the same amount of accomm-odation and Shanly with the same revenue.