Housing bosses said they will try again after plans to demolish Gloucesters only high rise and build a new estate were refused.

Councillors voted to reject the scheme to redevelop Clapham Court last night amid serious concerns about parking.

Gloucester City Homes (GCH) wanted permission to knock down the 11-storey building off Alvin Street in Kingsholm to make way for a lower level estate containing 36 homes,a community garden and nine parking spaces.

It said the decision was taken due to estimated maintenance costs for the 60-year-old building reaching a staggering £1million.

However, council officers recommended the plans be refused and Cllr Jeremy Hilton, leader of the council, called for the proposals to be referred to the committee.

Speaking at the meeting as an objector he said the number of parking spaces proposed was "woefully inadequate" and the development would "overload" the area.

"It will have a negative impact on the residents of Union Street. It's not fair that people will have a reduction in the natural light that is hitting their homes," he added.

He said he had always been "neutral" on whether the block should be refurbished or demolished. However, he said his efforts to get information from the housing association about why it had chosen to knock down the building had been unsuccessful.

"I don't know what the thinking is by Gloucester City Homes," he added.

He called on the committee to support the officer's recommendation and reject the application.

Mark Godson spoke on behalf of the applicant, and said the proposals would provide a good mix of homes.

"The benefits of the scheme are significant. This proposal includes a much better mix of homes. This scheme includes a 15% biodiversity net gain. It includes fully designed cycle storage."

Cllr Pam Tracey (C, Westgate) said it was "horrendous to park," in the area and she was worried about the impact on residents.

Cllr Roseanna Marshall (L, Barton and Tredworth) said the scheme was not "well planned out" and she had concerns about accessibility for emergency vehicles, while Cllr Linda Castle (LD, Longlevens) said the plans would create mayhem.

Cllr Andy Lewis (C, Quedgeley Severn Vale) said: "This is a half-hearted way of trying to get rid of two towers," he said. "They need to come down but the design of the proposals are not acceptable."

Cllr Tracey said: "City Homes will have to go back and redraw their plan."

The planning application was refused by eight votes to two.

A statement by GCH said it was "disappointed" with the decision but would not give up.

"The existing high-rise building is over 60 years old and no longer meets current housing demand," said a statement. "Each year its high maintenance costs result in a loss to GCH, significantly exceeding the income generated. These losses impact on our ability to invest in other new and existing homes, and will continue to rise if the building is retained."

Guy Stenson, chief executive of GCH, pointed out that the plans had been submitted following months of discussion with planning officers and a positive review by the Gloucestershire Design Review Panel.

He said: "We are committed to working with the council, residents, and stakeholders to mitigate the concerns raised by some members and resulting in the decision to refuse planning permission.

"We intend to resubmit our plans as soon as possible, ensuring the plans deliver maximum community benefits."