West Berkshire Council planners' rejection of Inkpen home plans to go to appeal

PLANNERS have refused permission for plans to enlarge a village home – but the rejection is being formally challenged.

Applicant Brian Gerhardt sought consent for the project at Leyfield in Post Office Road, Inkpen.

A design and access statement prepared on his behalf stated: "The application seeks planning permission for the replacement of the existing dwelling at Leyfield, Inkpen.

"Whilst there will be an increase in the footprint, compared to the existing dwelling, this still leaves a large garden area in place.

"Whilst the height of the roof has been increased, it remains in proportion to the existing site and property.

"The general design of the dwelling has been chosen so that it is similar to the local architectural vernacular of the other dwellings within Inkpen.

"This is to ensure that the proposed dwelling is more in keeping with the local character than the existing 20th-century dwelling."

Inkpen Parish Council offered no objection.

But a planning officer's report stated: "The proposed scheme provides a higher level of visual intrusion to the existing street scene compared to the existing dwelling with the roof design appearing disproportionate.

"It is noted that the hedge located between the front of the dwelling and the road could be removed and meaning that the dwelling would be more visually intrusive in the street scene the previously approved dwelling design is considered to be more in keeping with the character and appearance of the area."

The application was duly refused.

However, an appeal against that decision has now been lodged with Her Majesty's Planning Inspectorate.

The appeal claims: "On the evidence presented it is demonstrated that the development represents a higher quality design than that which was previously approved at the site and thus that there will be no negative impact upon the character and appearance of the area and the setting of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)."

Comments made be made online before September 6 at https://acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk

All representations must quote the inspectorate’s appeal reference: APP/W0340/W/22/3297675.