Plans for five homes in village refused following concerns they would harm character of the area
Plans for up to five homes in a village have been refused following concerns about the harm to the rural character of the area.
Members of South Kesteven District Council’s (SKDC) planning committee have refused outline planning permission to build the homes on land adjacent to Heatherway House, Fenton Road, in Stubton, between Sleaford and Newark.
The 0.55 hectare site is located between Park Cottage and Heatherway House in the village and can be accessed via Fenton Road.
The application had received 19 letters from residents – with many people raising concerns about the potential harm to the character and appearance of the area.
But SDKC planning officers had originally recommended it for approval, citing the fact that the council has missed its five year land supply target and needs to build more homes to comply with Government policy.
However, members decided to refuse the application following concerns about the negative impact of the rural character and appearance of the area.
At a meeting on Thursday, July 9, Coun Sarah Trotter (Conservative – Lincrest) said: “We cannot forget the character and appearance of our small rural villages.
“As I say, having gone, to me, it is totally the wrong place – with no amenities – to potentially put up to five houses – I won’t be going with approving it.”
Coun Patsy Ellis (Independent – Grantham St Vincents) recommended that the application should be rejected.
She said: “From the photographs, it’s clear that it’s an utterly bucolic setting and I think this development would completely harm that.”