A PROPOSAL to build five houses and an access lane on a field on the outskirts of Lamerton has been thrown out on appeal.

Planning inspector Lewis Condé refused permission for Compton Estates Ltd to build the five homes on land south of Fortescue Terrace, map reference SX 448 762.

This upheld planning authority West Devon Borough Council’s refusal of the original application, 1567/25/FUL.

The appeal was rejected on August 10.

The inspector said the appeal would impact on the privacy of the neighbouring property Sunbury.

He also decided that the development would bring an urban character to its rural setting.

“Despite the presence of nearby housing, it remains an undeveloped part of a larger agricultural field, enclosed in part by hedgerows, trees and watercourses, with open countryside beyond. Its pastoral and undeveloped qualities contribute to the village’s rural setting,” he stated.

He went on to say that housing in the village was mainly strung out along the road, being “predominantly low density and linear”.

“Against that context, the proposal would introduce five dwellings in a cul-de-sac arrangement behind the established frontage. Together with parking, gardens and domestic paraphernalia, it would extend residential development into the field in a way that would appear more intensive, inward-facing and suburban than the prevailing linear pattern.”

He added: “I therefore conclude that the proposal would harm the character and appearance of the area.”

He also flagged up the concerns about noise and disturbance to nearby neighbours, as the proposed new access route would lead from the main road between Sunbury and The Old Forge Cottage, being particularly close to Sunbury’s entrance and windows.

He said: “Vehicle movements associated with the proposed dwellings, including the arrival and departure of occupants, visitors, deliveries and potential refuse collections, would take place in uncomfortably close proximity to Sunbury’s main entrance and habitable rooms.”

The inspector said that the fact that the applicant “would own Sunbury” if the application went ahead does not alter the harm as “planning policies safeguarding living conditions also seek to protect future occupiers, who are entitled to a satisfactory living environment”.

He also raised concern that “a sizeable proportion of Sunbury’s existing garden would be lost to the proposed access road”.

The scheme would provide a mixture of detached and semi-detached, including a bungalow, which he conceded would add to available housing in the area.

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He dismissed the appeal, saying it was in conflict with local planning policy to “achieve well-designed places that are sympathetic to local character and provide a hight standard of amenity for existing and future users.”