Residents near Aberystwyth harbour are up in arms over plans for a “monstrous eyesore” apartment block that would be “more suited to a city”, according to objectors.

Scores of objections have been lodged over plans submitted to Ceredigion County Council planners to build an eight-storey block of flats on steep, sloping land adjacent to Aberystwyth marina.

The plans, which will see six two-bedroom flats built on the site, would “benefit the wider community”, developers said, but have attracted 70 objections from local residents since they were submitted at the end of April.

One objector, Moira Convery, said: “The tower block providing a mere six two-bedroom flats will create a monstrous eyesore in one of Aberystwyth’s most attractive areas.

“The building is completely out of character with the surrounding buildings, which are all relatively low rise and it will dominate the harbour.

“Visitors come to Aberystwyth because it is attractive in a calm, traditional style. We do not want it spoiled in the way many other seaside resorts have been with high buildings dominating the beach.”

Heather Hayward said in her submitted objection that the development “would really spoil the harbour area and seriously affect the privacy of existing homes in the area due to its height”.

“It’s simply not in keeping with anything else in the town and would stick out like a sore thumb.”

Ann Williams said “the proposed building would be more suited to a city.”

“There are more than enough flats for sale in Aberystwyth without the need for an over-sized block alien to the environment,” she said.

Aberystwyth Town Council said it “strongly objects” to the scheme amid “strong local objection”, with members saying the plans “represent over-development” and that the “design is not in keeping” with the area.

The plans were lodged in conjunction with contentious plans to build a three-storey building containing six two-bedroom flats on land at Yr Hen Stabl in Llanbadarn Fawr.

The Llanbadarn development, which itself has attracted more than a dozen complaints, will be used to offset the affordable home requirement at the marina site, developers said.

In planning documents, developers Ellis D&B Ltd, said the site is “not visually prominent” and “the proposal has been designed to complement existing development throughout the surrounding area whilst introducing a more contemporary architectural style of outstanding quality”.

The developers said: “The proposal mitigates steep terrain on-site through a built form which is effectively set back within the existing topography to naturally screen the development whilst also retaining any distinct landscape features.

“The proposed layout actively protects the amenity of existing local residents and future occupiers of the proposal itself, by concentrating development toward the southern section of the site.

“The proposed development is considered to represent an appropriate and policy compliant scheme, which makes optimal use of this existing site to the benefit of the wider community.

“The proposed development represents a quality residential scheme within a highly sustainable location and is acceptable by way of its setting, density, scale, community safety and innovative design to overcome existing topography.”

Among the dozens objections submitted to the council, concerns are also raised over the ownership of a parcel of land earmarked for the plans.

A loss of privacy for surrounding homes, road safety, access and loss of parking spaces are also raised.

The plans are currently being considered by Ceredigion council planners.