The future of a site that used to be home to the British Lion Pub is unclear again as councillors on the planning committee rejected the developers latest proposal for flats there.

The site in Thessaly Road is currently empty as the developer knocked down the pub but has yet to replace it.

The developer was granted permission in 2013 to knock it down and replace it with flats, and this application is still valid but on Thursday night the planning committee heard an application to alter the plans, building 20 market flats with a private gym instead of 16 with bike storage.

The new application had an extra storey to accommodate the additional flats.

Councillor Will Sweet said: "I'm frustrated that the developer has sat on this site for three years and done nothing but knock down the pub.

"(This application) is prominent but it is not too prominent."

The council would have been left £200,000 out of pocket by the changes in this development, as it did not qualify to ask the developer for the same funding in return for building the flats when a gym for residents is included.

Councillor Annemarie Critchard asked committee chairman councillor Sarah McDermott to work to close that loophole so that residents did not lose out.

Councillor Humphries said the application had been 'on the cusp' when it had been approved in 2013 and that he wished to refuse this application.

The application was refused seven to two on the grounds of mass and bulk.