A building which stands at the “gateway” to Marlow has been saved from demolition after politicians threw out contentious proposals to turn it into a three-storey housing block.

Applicant, Meteor Chapel Developments Ltd, submitted proposals to turn 48 to 54 Chapel Street into flats and houses.

Officers recommended that politicians sitting on Wycombe District Council’s planning committee approve the application.

In documents submitted to the council, officers stated that: “Residential development is considered to be an acceptable use for this site which is within an existing residential area and the Marlow Conservation Area.

“Furthermore the proposals are considered to be acceptable in terms of detail, namely their impact on the character and appearance of the area, residential amenity, environmental issues and highways and parking issues.”

Yet councillors rejected the plans, stating parking concerns and the building being completely out of character with the existing street scene as reasons why the plans were unacceptable.

Speaking against the application, Andrew Milsom, said he was “sympathetic” to the development of the Jolliffes site, but that the plans were not in keeping with the street.

He said: “Jolliffes would never measure its’ customers with an ill fitting outfit, so it is therefore very disappointing to find its successor proposing to develop this site with an oversized suit, that drowns its victim and fails to flatter the figure.”

He added: “Some minor cosmetic alterations have done nothing to improve the original scheme.

Mr Milsom added: “In conclusion, this prominent site deserves a sympathetic proposal, more in keeping with existing policy, which preserves and enhances the historic setting.

“We respectfully ask you to therefore reject this particular scheme and ask the applicant to let us have something we can all be proud of.

Councillor Richard Scott, leader of the council and representative for Marlow South East, said he was concerned about the replacement building and he asked that the committee reject the application.

Councillor Neil McCarthy and Councillor Jean Teesdale, both of whom sit on the planning committee, said the building was a prominent “gateway” into the historical town and that the design should be suitably in keeping with the area’s design.