Inspector throws out appeal for garage to be demolished to make way for new house near Whitchurch

An inspector has thrown out an appeal for a garage to be demolished to make way for a new house.

Jonathan Howcroft saw his proposal refused in Ash Magna, near Whitchurch, after submitting plans to Shropshire Council.

The unitary authority felt the development would be prejudicial to the general character in the area and was inadequate in size.

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In a design and access statement, Base explained that two earlier outline applications had been refused.

The second one saw the scheme reduced to a three to four-bedroom home from the previous five-bedroom proposal, but the local authority still deemed it an overdevelopment.

The latest application was sensitively designed, said Base, to reduce the visual impact on the surrounding area.

However, the case officer was still concerned about it being overdeveloped, and would result in “cramped massing” on the site.

To address this, Base provided additional supporting information. The agents explained that the application has been amended, with diagrams showing that the site would not be overdeveloped or cramped.

The massing within the site would match the existing building which was proposed to be demolished, added Base.

The scheme, however, attracted eight objections with no supportive comments.

Whitchurch Rural Parish Council was one of the objectors, agreeing with Shropshire Council that it was an overdevelopment and was not of a scale or design that is sympathetic to the character of the settlement.

After Shropshire Council refused the application, Mr Howcroft lodged an appeal, which was considered by Samuel Watson.

However, Mr Watson also felt that the site was cramped.

“The proposal would result in harm to the character and appearance of the surrounding area and would provide unsatisfactory living conditions for future occupiers,” said Mr Watson.

“These impacts are contrary to both local and national planning policy to which I give considerable weight.

“Taking everything into account, I consider that the adverse impacts of granting planning permission would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits.”

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