CONTROVERSIAL plans for a self-storage warehouse have been given the green light by a planning inspector - sparking outrage among local residents.

City of York Council’s planning sub-committee unanimously refused permission last August for the building on land near homes and an Aldi store in Water Lane, Clifton Without.

The councillors, voting in the face of officers’ recommendations to grant approval, said the warehouse would be too big and overbearing for local residents, scores of whom had lodged objections, with one claiming it would be a "monstrosity".

Storage company MJ McCarthy then lodged an appeal against the decision, and an inspector has now upheld the appeal.

The inspector said objections raised included overshadowing and overlooking but the height of the building and the distance between the southern elevation and the nearest properties meant that overshadowing of windows was unlikely.

The inspector said the building would be closer to neighbouring residential premises than other commercial buildings in the area but would be at least 10 metres from rear boundary fences. There would be a ‘green wall’ of climbing plants to screen the building, and additional planting along the southern boundary would further screen it from neighbouring dwellings.

But one local resident, Catherine Allen, said she was "shocked" by the inspector’s decision, which she felt undermined the council’s unanimous decision. “It’s obscene,” she said. “We are all absolutely disgusted.”

She claimed the decision went against planning laws and said residents would consider taking legal advice about a possible challenge in the High Court.

Another resident, Andrew Newby, said the decision was "really disappointing", adding: “We feel as though as residents our voices have not been heard.”

A third, Andrew Stanley, said: “I’m shocked that the unanimous council decision could be overturned when (supposedly) judged on the same merits. Hopefully the decision will be appealed via the High Court.”