A PROPOSAL seeking permission for the construction of one two storey three-bedroom dwelling within a footprint of 143 square metres in Walford has been rejected by Herefordshire planners.

The planning application proposed a single detached dwelling with associated works within the curtilage of Walford Cottage with the owner’s agent, McLoughlin Planning, stating that the proposed dwelling has been designed to sit comfortably within the proposed site and would use materials reflective of the area.

The proposed site is situated within domestic curtilage of Walford Cottage, a stone-built property of mid-19th century origin constructed on a parcel of former agricultural meadowland.

It is suggested that the proposed dwelling would be two storeys high and would be constructed of locally sourced stonework with cream-white render, reflecting the area's character and materiality.

But Herefordshire’s building conservation officer objected to the proposal because it would result in harm to the setting of Grade I listed St. Michael’s Church by virtue of the proposed dwelling’s uncharacteristic height, which is not reflective of the locally distinctive height range.

The officer added: “The scheme would create an overly suburbanised development group through sub-division of Walford Cottage’s garden curtilage which, in itself, would represent an uncharacteristic development form, and thereby dominate the setting’s rural character.”

Planning officer Joshua Evans said that there were other problems with the application because of the need to tackle the linked constraints associated with flood risk and the acceptability of the proposed drainage solution in terms of a technically compliant one that would not result in new nutrient pathways to the River Wye.

“Unfortunately however, it has not been possible to address the likely significant effects of the variously proposed drainage solutions,” and stated that as the site lies largely within a flood zone that the installation of a package treatment plan/septic tank and associated drainage field is not considered to be a compliant solution to the problem.

Mr Evans said: “The last resort cess pit solution would in my view be capable of being supported as an acceptable option, but past experience suggests there is no means of controlling where tankered waste is deposited for treatment.

The planning application was refused as the site lies largely within a flood zone and that the proposed septic tank and associated drainage was not considered to be a compliant solution as if unmitigated, it would have a significant effect on water quality of the River Wye.

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