West Berkshire Council planners: Inkpen cottage project 'too grand' for surroundings

PLANS to demolish a village cottage and replace it with a new design were panned by planners for an inappropriate "sense of grandeur".

It would also intefere with public right of way in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), they decreed.

The proposal was for the demolition of the existing, detached home and garage known as Walbury Cottage in Upper Green, Inkpen and for its replacement with a detached, two-storey family home and garage.

It was the second refusal of planning permission for a project at the site.

A covering letter sent on the applicants' behalf stated: "The existing house is in an extremely poor state of repair and does not meet the needs of the new owners."

There were no objections from the public or parish council.

However, a planning officer's report stated: "Although uncomplicated in form, the proposed dwelling would have a sense of grandeur not found within the existing dwelling.

"It would have a larger footprint and it would be substantially taller than the existing dwelling."

The officer continued: "The proposed dwelling would therefore be of a scale, massing and height which is significantly greater than the house it is to replace.

"It cannot therefore be considered to be proportionate.

"Officers consider that the current proposal fails to address the previous reason for refusal and in effect, the proposal has become much bulkier and larger as a replacement dwelling, particularly with the additional elements to the design."