Plans to build a two-storey car park with more than 150 spaces in West Hamilton have been refused by planners.

West Hamilton Ltd had applied for permission to build the parking lot 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 nearby residential properties.

The minutes of the Development Applications Board (DAB) meeting last month state: “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.

West Hamilton Ltd recently 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 2014 and then revised the proposals in May 2015.

The DAB set out three additional reasons for the development being refused.

The minutes of the meeting state: “Traffic projections stemming from the proposed additional parking have not been provided and therefore the level of increased traffic to be experienced on the surrounding area cannot be assessed.

“The dimensions of the ramps and column sizes for the proposed development have not been provided and therefore compliance with respect to circulation and safe movement of vehicles cannot be determined.

“The proposed development does not comply with the Bermuda Plan 2008 Planning Statement in that it does not achieve the required 15 feet setback to the adjoining Residential zoned land.

“As a result, the proposed development will negatively impact the amenity and environment of the adjoining residential properties.”