Development refused near Harborough due to 'effect on character and appearance of area'

A development planned near Market Harborough has been refused permission because of the negative effect it would have on the “character and appearance of the area”.

Planning officers at Harborough District Council turned down an application, by Sandy Developments Ltd last April, and it has been turned down again after the developer appealed the decision.

The developer wanted to build a three-bedroom house with two parking spaces in Mill Field Close, South Kilworth, in an existing modern housing development. The Planning Inspectorate rejected the appeal on Thursday, February 27.

The proposed site is described in the inspector’s report as “well maintained”, with “views of open countryside”. Planning Inspectorate documents note that although the land is not designated as open green space, it has “important value to the distinctiveness of the local area”.

The documents state that the loss of the open space would be “harmful to local character and appearance”. The inspector recognised in their decision that the development would be “sympathetic'” to the local area, but stated that allowing the plan to go ahead would be at the expense of “soft, open landscaping that positively contributes to the area”.

The appeal decision also notes that the development would go against local and neighbourhood plans for the area, noting the need for development plans to “respect local character and make a positive contribution to its surroundings”.

The decision notice states the development would make “a small contribution towards the area’s housing supply, and would provide jobs”, but notes the latter would be mainly whilst the house was being built.

Recognising that a development should add to the quality of the area, and be visually attractive, planning inspectors rejected the proposal stating “the adverse effects of the proposal would significantly and demonstrably outweigh its benefits”.