OBJECTIONS were raised to the prospect of five bedroom executive style homes being built on an overgrown orchard.
The development was proposed by Mr D Ritchie at the rear of 69A, 69B and 69C Dee Banks, Great Boughton.
Mr Ritchie told planning officers he was proposing to demolish three garages standing on the land to make way for the two detached properties.
One would be "L" shaped with a master bedroom, dressing room and four other bedrooms while the other would be "T" shaped with similar accommodation including a Juliet balcony.
As many of the fruit trees as possible would be retained and additional planting would be carried out.
Agents Design Group Chester say Mr Ritchie has been in dialogue with the planning authority over a number of years.
They argue the site is not historically backland and in addition to the garages it contains the remains of stables.
Residential development on the neglected land would make a positive contribution to the area and they insist that despite the economic situation there is still a "substantial demand" for family houses in the city.
Objections were raised to the prospect of five bedroom executive homes being built on an overgrown orchard.
The development was proposed by Mr D Ritchie at the rear of 69A, 69B and 69C Dee Banks, Great Boughton.
Mr Ritchie told planning officers he was proposing to demolish three garages standing on the land to make way for the two detached properties.
One would be "L" shaped with a master bedroom, dressing room and four other bedrooms while the other would be "T" shaped with similar accommodation including a Juliet balcony.
As many of the fruit trees as possible would be retained and additional planting would be carried out.
Agents Design Group Chester say Mr Ritchie has been in dialogue with the planning authority over a number of years.
They argue the site is not historically backland.
Residential development on the neglected land would make a positive contribution to the area they believe and the agents insist that despite the economic situation there is still a "substantial demand" for family houses in the city.
Concerns raised by Great Boughton parish council included the view the homes would not be in keeping with other properties in the Dee Banks Conservation Area and neighbours would suffer loss of visual amenity.
Chester's conservation area advisory committee believed development would be detrimental to the openness of the backland and described the design of the properties as "wholly inappropriate."
Neighbours said they were concerned about increased traffic, the effect on the conservation area, loss of amenity from overlooking and the loss of open space and a wildlife habitat.
They believe that housebuilding would set a precedent.
The orchard was historically the extended rear gardens of adjoining properties, a report suggests.
An appraisal of the conservation area says that infill development should be resisted and any new build should reflect the overall character of the area.
Conservation officers believe the principle of backland development has been established on an adjoining site but describe the design of the properties as "rather staid."
The advisory committee "has submitted a much stronger objection" and its concerns are shared by the parish council and by neighbours, the report points out.
Highway engineers believe a suitable form of development would be hard to resist but feel the two large homes would lead to an overintensive use of the access lane and problems at the junction with Dee Banks.
The application was refused.
