A CONTROVERSIAL application to turn a former school site into a housing development has been thrown out by Government inspectors.

Laing Homes' proposal to demolish Montbelle School in Dominic Drive, New Eltham, and build 44 new homes on the 1.25-acre plot has been refused twice.

On February 15 Greenwich Council's planning committee refused the proposal after members thought it was out of character with the area.

The developer refused to amend its plans and began pushing for them to be approved in their original form by appealing to the Government's Planning Inspectorate in June.

Planning inspector David Stephenson backed the council's decision saying the development would be out of character.

He also said the plans for mainly three-storey properties would impinge on the privacy of other residents.

Councillor Chris Taylor has hailed the decision a success after opposing the application with fellow ward councillors John Hills and Mandy Brinkhurst.

Laing Homes was unavailable for comment.