A proposal for a high street shopping arcade will not go ahead as the Planning Inspectorate said it would have an “unacceptable dominant effect” in a conservation area.

The plan, within the Wanstead Village Conservation Area, included the demolition of the existing building to create a four-storey block with flats, flexible retail units and office space, in High Street, Wanstead.

A second building would be erected at the rear, with further office provision and new homes.

Applicant Kim Satney said he wanted to revitalise the high street and help local start-up businesses.

But Wanstead Society and local councillors had spoken out against the plans, describing them as "over-developed and with a boxy, high rise design that would stick out in our conservation area".

In a decision report released yesterday, Christa Masters of the Planning Inspectorate upheld Redbridge council’s decision to reject the proposal last year due to it being out of keeping with the street scene.

In her report, inspector Ms Masters explained: “The roof would in my view be totally at odds with the general form and pattern of traditional roof treatment along this part of the High Street.

“Even taking into account the setback proposed, the arched pitch of the roof reinforces my view that this aspect of the scheme would be in sharp contrast with the neighbouring properties and existing roof treatment within the shopping parade.

“It would be readily visible in longer distant views along the High Street when viewed from the approach from both the north and south.

“The protruding balcony illustrated at second floor level would also be out of keeping with the existing fenestration and detailing to the façade of the building which also adds weight to my concerns that the proposal would fail to reinforce the existing pattern of local distinctiveness.

“As a result, it would fail to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the Wanstead Village Conservation Area.”

Ms Masters also pointed out that the second building would have a negative effect on the Grade II listed complex, The Shrubbery.

She said: “The location of second block would mean that the building would be some 4.3m from the rear boundary of the Shrubberies at its closest point.

“It would also be significantly larger in scale and massing than the existing building and would be located towards the northwest boundary of the site.

“As a result, it would have an unacceptable dominant effect on the setting of The Shrubbery.”