Plans to build more than 300 flats on the site of an old Homebase store have been rejected for a second time.

Wandsworth Council’s planning committee rejected plans developers lodged in June last year to convert the Homebase in Swandon Way into 343 homes in three buildings that would be between seven and 17 storeys high. Councillors unanimously voted against their second application last night.

The altered proposal would have reduced the tallest building from 17 to 15 while another block went from nine to 11.

Your Local Guardian:

Committee chairwoman Councillor Sarah McDermott said they "didn’t feel the developers addressed the reason for refusal the last time", which was on the basis of height.

Although the Homebase is located out of the Wandsworth Conservation Area, the council recommends buildings should not be more than nine storeys.

Ms McDermott added: "We still felt there was a negative impact on the surrounding area."

The initial application received nearly 150 objections from residents and the Wandsworth Society.

Wandsworth Society’s chairman David Kirk said it was a "very welcome outcome".

He said: "The three Fairfield councillors were united in opposition to the scheme. 

"They had listened to the concerns of local residents and the Wandsworth and Battersea Societies. 

"Plans for the area will now have to be reconsidered, as will the council’s policy on tall buildings more generally."

Labour spokesperson for planning Cllr Tony Belton said he was "glad" the committee listened to the feeling of residents adding: "We feel the decision reflects the strength of people’s feelings and I’m glad to see the people had their way.”

Mark Nelson of the Riverside West Residents Association said locals were "delighted" the council listened to their views and "rejected a poor scheme that would have put residents in the shadows for three months of the year".

He added: "We would welcome a positive engagement with the Landowners for a well-designed scheme that reflects councillors and residents wishes that the architects do not return with a monolithic wall facing Swandon Way."