Planning Inspector Backs Council Decision Over Luxury Home Plan
A planning inspector has supported a decision by Ribble Valley Borough Council to refuse planning permission for a luxury home on green belt land.
The inspector dismissed an appeal against refusal for the house on land adjacent to Further Lane, Mellor after hearing evidence from the council and the appellant.
He agreed with the council that the house would be an inappropriate development in the green belt and would have a significant adverse impact on the openness of the green belt.
It brings to an end a long-running planning battle that began in 2022. An application was submitted to the council for permission to build a six-bedroom house, together with garage space for at least five cars, games room, cinema room, swimming pool and spa.
The application was refused by the council and that decision was appealed. The appeal was allowed by a planning inspector but the council challenged that decision. The decision was quashed by order of the High Court and sent back to the planning inspectorate for determination.
Plans showed a large house, described as “a villa of neo-classical style”, within parkland, as well as other features including a mausoleum, temple and obelisk.
The inspector’s report noted: “Given its size and range of facilities, it would be able to house many occupants and/or visitors and would be likely to generate servicing and delivery requirements associated with its facilities and size.”
Councillor Lee Street, chairman of the council’s planning a development committee said:
“This was a case of wrong building, wrong place. From the start we set out to protect the green belt from what would have been a very large building on a prominent site. The planning inspector recognised the adverse effect this house would have had on the area.
“I’m very pleased the planning inspector took on board the evidence we provided and came down in our favour. It reflects the hard work the council’s planning team has put in to bring this long-running issue to a satisfactory conclusion.”
Nicola Hopkins, the council’s director of economic development and planning, said:
“This decision confirms the correct application of green belt policy and reinforces the fact that inappropriate development will not be supported in the green belt.
“The council will continue to protect the borough from harmful development.”