An application to demolish stables in the grounds of a Grade II listed building and put a home up in its place has been rejected.

The application to build the house close to Woodford Hall, near Mellor, was made by a Mr Hussain, who lives in Blackburn, in October last year.

The six-bed house would have had an integrated garage in the basement as well as a gym, games room, swimming pool and cinema.

Lancashire Telegraph: The site is close to the Grade II listed Woodfold HallThe site is close to the Grade II listed Woodfold Hall (Image: Ribble Valley Borough Council)

It would have been set within landscaped grounds intended to provide parking and amenity space, while it would have also required the demolition of an equestrian centre, including stables and a manege.  

Ribble Valley Borough Council, though, refused the plans, citing six key reasons.

READ MORE: Barrow care home with cinema, library and 66 rooms approved

A decision notice from the council said: “The proposal would result in a new dwellinghouse outside of a defined settlement which fails to meet any of the exception criteria for allowing development in such locations and which would be dependent on the use of private vehicles.

Lancashire Telegraph: Proposed plans for the basement, including a cinema and games roomProposed plans for the basement, including a cinema and games room (Image: Ribble Valley Borough Council)

“The proposal would result in inappropriate development within the Green Belt which would be harmful to the Green Belt character and would result in a loss of openness by virtue of the scale and siting of the built development and the enclosing landscape.

“The proposal would result in harm to the setting of the adjacent Grade II listed historic park.”

READ MORE: Couple planning home conversion on Bolton-by-Bowland farm

The notice went on to say the development would be “harmful to the visual amenity of the local area” and the proposal had not demonstrated that the proposed access points to the site were safe and suitable to serve it.

Lancashire Telegraph: The application site is close to the Grade II listed Woodfold HallThe application site is close to the Grade II listed Woodfold Hall (Image: Ribble Valley Borough Council)

A planning statement initially submitted to the council said: “The proposed detached dwelling is to incorporate an integrated garage with a basement, living accommodation at ground floor, and six ensuite bedrooms at first floor.

“Incidental uses, such as a gym, games room, cinema, and swimming pool are to be included within the accommodation provided by the dwelling at basement and ground floor level.”

The council’s decision notice was published on September 1. The applicant has 12 weeks to appeal the decision if they wish to.