Plans for five-bed contemporary Billington house refused

The proposal for the site in Whalley Old Road, Billington, is to partially demolish and convert the existing home and construct a new two-storey house at an elevated level.

The plans were blocked by Ribble Valley Borough Council last week.

A decision notice from the council said the proposed development would result in "inappropriate development" within the greenbelt by way of engineering operations.

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They also said that the proposed development by way of its size, siting and materials of construction, would be unsympathetic to the character of the surrounding area and would result in an overly prominent addition.

The applicants have six months to appeal the council's decision if they wish.

A design and access statement said: "The proposed replacement dwelling is a carefully considered contemporary design, adopting high-quality materials that will contribute to making it a positive addition to the existing area.

"The scale and proportion of the proposed dwelling is comparable with neighbouring properties and will therefore sit comfortably within the existing context.

"The building contains the accommodation required for the applicant and family to create a new family home more suited to their way of living, whilst enjoying the unique views the site offers towards the Ribble Valley."

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The ground floor was to contain a double garage, four bedrooms with ensuites and an internal courtyard garden.

The entrance area was proposed to connect the ground and first floor through a double-height entrance atrium with a skylight above.

An open-plan living, kitchen, and dining space was also planned to accommodate the majority of the first floor to the east, with a master bedroom and en suite to the west.

To view the plans in full, visit the council's planning website.