Planning inspector rejects appeal for Frodsham green belt extension

Dec 17 2009 Chester Chronicle

A HOMEOWNER’S plans to rebuild a barn in Frodsham have been bulldozed by an independent planning inspector.

The proposal, to create an annex accommodation at Sunnybank Farm, Crabmill Lane, Frodsham, was refused.

Mr C Gardner told Cheshire West and Chester Council the barn would be linked to the main house by a narrow corridor link.

Permission was refused and Mr Gardner appealed with communities and local government secretary John Denham appointing inspector Alison Roland to decide the issue.

The main question, suggested the inspector, was whether the development would be inappropriate in the green belt and if there were any very special circumstances.

She described the size of the extension as ‘a substantial addition’.

It would amount to a ‘significant structure’ relative to the house and due to the narrowness of the link would appear as a separate building.

She believed it would be ‘disproportionate’ and would be inappropriate in the Green Belt.

The scheme would undermine the openness of the Green Belt and would be clearly visible immediately in front of Sunnybank Farm and also from parts of Norley Road to the rear.

The inspector shared the council’s concerns about the design of the rebuild and said it would appear to be a small bungalow.