A Sutton Coldfield councillor has slammed plans to build five tower blocks on a premium town centre site claiming they "could do better".

But Coun Maureen Cornish was voted down by colleagues on Birmingham's planning committee as they approved the designs for the retirement village, arranged in tower blocks along Brassington Avenue.

There were objections to the size of the development, the tallest tower stands at 16 storeys, amid claims it would spoil views from Sutton Park of the historic royal town.

Coun Cornish said: "This site is an eyesore and I would like to see it developed but these are massive high rises. I think we could do better."

But Coun Barry Henley (Lab Brandwood) took the opposite view, pointing out that this plan was a vast improvement on one previously approved for a single large apartment block lining the street.

He explained there had been concerns from the council's Conservation Panel over the height of the towers.

But added: "The previous proposal was a very nasty long block, this is much more elegant. The towers are taller but over all this is a lot less harmful than what was already permitted."

The site has been earmarked for development for almost 15 years, with a string of different proposals coming forward over the years including various mixes of shops, bars and restaurants, a gym, cinema and hundreds of flats - some have won planning permission, but none have so far been built.

The planning committee voted by ten to two in favour of the application.

Developer Pegasus Life wants to build the five towers staggered along the narrow site between the Gracechurch Shopping Centre and the Cross City Rail line.

The retirement complex will include a swimming pool, library, restaurant, cafe and health care facilities.

A total of 45 letters were received from residents opposing the plan, were mostly concerned with the scale of development claiming it was too tall and would be a blot on the landscape.