Plans for a 150-bed hotel on a former power station site in Kingston were rejected by council planning officials last night.

The £60m Skerne Road development, which also included proposals for 370 flats and a hotel run by the Moran Hotel Group, was turned down at a special meeting of Kingston Council's development control committee.

Councillors said they were concerned at the provision of affordable housing, shortage of three and four bedroom units and the height of the complex.

Developer NHP argued 80 affordable units was the maximum viable for the site but pledged to look at whether future increases were possible.

However, councillors said the complex didn't meet the 50 per cent affordable housing target and were concerned at plans to locate all such units in one block of the development.

Chairman of the development committee, Councillor Vicki Harris, said: "There is a desperate need for affordable housing and a desperate need for a hotel.

"It sounds just what Kingston needs but not in this shape."

Plans for the site had already caused controversy after the Mayor of London approved plans for just 10 hotel parking spaces on the site.

However, councillors were told the maximum requirement for the scheme was 75 spaces and existing parking within the town centre would be able to cope with an additional 65 cars.

Kevin Howlett, spokesman for NHP, said: "We are extremely disappointed that councillors didn't take this wonderful opportunity to deliver the four star hotel Kingston has been waiting 20 years for.

"We believe the scheme would have delivered a stunning development that Kingston could have been proud of, that would have regenerated an eyesore and removed the annoyance of the hum that blights the area and affects local residents' daily lives.

"Kingston has missed a huge opportunity."