PLANS to convert a former menage that had been used for an equine business into a two-bedroom home in Whitchurch, have been turned down by Herefordshire planners.

The Losito Stud had been used for over 15 years as a commercial equine business but now that the owner has retired, the brownfield site is underutilised.

A bid to repurpose the land to create a new house by removing the menage and replacing it will a well-designed agricultural house with permaculture landscaping was submitted to Hereford council which has now ruled tats the plans would result in an unacceptable urbanising encroachment into the countryside and would fail to conserve and enhance the character, appearance and scenic beauty of the Wye Valley National Landscape.

Planners also felt that insufficient information had been provided to demonstrate how the development would accommodate and safeguard the definitive route of the nearby public footpath and protect its recreational and amenity value, saying the development would harm the character of the site and surrounding landscaping, fail to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the protected landscape and come into conflict with the Herefordshire Local Plan - Core Strategy, the Whitchurch and Ganarew Neighbourhood Development Plan, and National Planning Policy Framework 2026.

“The proposed dwelling, by reason of its location within, and access through the operational equestrian facility, would expose future occupiers to noise, disturbance, vehicle movements and activity associated with the lawful operation of the site. This relationship would result in an unsatisfactory standard of residential amenity and has the potential to create conflict between the residential use and the continued operation of the equestrian enterprise,” said planners.

In the original application the applicant’s agent Kathy Bird argued that given its location and context, the site is considered to represent an appropriate and sustainable location for residential development and added: “The proposal would contribute to local housing supply, help address the current shortfall in deliverable sites, and would integrate with the existing settlement pattern without causing undue harm to the character of the area.”

Ms Bird added that the proposal would preserve the character and appearance of the area and added: “While the site lies outside the formal settlement boundary, it is well-related to the existing settlement and capable of supporting residential development.

“Replacing the commercial menage with an agricultural style dwelling and landscaping would have a neutral effect, preserving the natural beauty of the area,” she added.

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Planners however had other ideas...