PLANS to build two large houses in the garden of a former hotel in York have been rejected.

Knavesmire Venture wanted to build two five-bedroom semi-detached homes behind the Knavesmire Manor, which is to be turned from a hotel back into a private residence, but City of York Council has rejected the plans.

Clare Davies, council development control officer, said in a written decision notice: “Although the rear garden is large enough to accommodate some form of additional residential development, the proposal as submitted is too large.”

She said the development would have been oppressive and overbearing and would lead to a loss of privacy for other residents.

She said the proposed block would have looked cramped on the site and would lead to the loss of open space around buildings that contributed to a conservation area.