A developer’s last-ditch attempt to build a two-storey car park with more than 150 spaces in west Hamilton has been thwarted by the minister in charge of planning.

Senator Michael Fahy dismissed an appeal by West Hamilton Ltd after the Development Applications Board (DAB) had rejected the project earlier this year.

The company had originally applied for permission to build the car park on Pitts Bay Road behind the Belevedere building.

But their proposals were scuppered after a technical planning officer raised security concerns that the height of the structure could allow people to gain access to residential properties close by.

The minutes of the DAB meeting stated: “The technical officer explained that given the proposed finished grade height of the proposed additional storeys would be comparative with the grade of the adjoining residential neighbourhood, combined with the proximity of the structure to the shared lot line, the opportunity for persons to gain access to the abutting residential properties would be easily attainable.”

As a result, the DAB followed the technical officer’s advice and refused the development.

Earlier this year, West Hamilton Ltd broke ground on a multimillion-dollar project to build an executive condominium complex close to the proposed site of the car park.

The firm had also initially submitted the car park plans in September last year and then revised the proposals in May 2015.

The DAB set out three additional reasons for the development being refused, which included potential traffic problems as well as concerns over its proximity to residential land.