PLANS to build a new house in Rainford have been refused.

An application proposing the erection of one detached dwelling, and the retention of an existing workshop building, with some matters reserved except access, layout and scale – on land at Pasture Lane – has been turned down.

The design and access statement stated that the existing workshop building will be retained as ancillary accommodation linked with the proposed new house.

'Largely vacant site'

It added: “Presently, the site is largely vacant, with the exception of a single-storey industrial outbuilding – which, as part of this application, is proposed to be demolished.

“The site is a brownfield site, despite being situated within the greenbelt.

“The applicant considers that the proposed development will provide a good example in the re-use of previously developed brownfield land, which will contribute towards the borough housing stock without harming local residential amenity or highway safety.

“Care has been taken to ensure this development reflects its position in the locality, along with the existing residential arrangements on the west side of the site.

“As such, the applicant feels that there are no material planning reasons why this application should not be approved, subject to any reasonable conditions associated with this type of development.”

'Inappropriate development'

The application has been refused by St Helens Council. In the decision notice, it says the reasons for this include that the proposed development "constitutes inappropriate development" in the green belt, causes harm to the openness of the green belt conflicting with the purposes of including land in the green belt.

Therefore, the proposal is "contrary" to the National Planning Policy Framework and a Policy of the St Helens Local Plan – while ‘insufficient very special circumstances’ have been identified to outweigh the harm to the green belt.

It states another reason is that the application site lies within flood zone three and "insufficient information" has been provided to adequately assess the risk and impact of flooding of the proposed development and demonstrate how the risk of flooding can be mitigated and a sequential approach to the location of the development has been taken in relation to flood risk. Therefore, the proposal is ‘contrary’ to a policy of the Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.

Furthermore, it says "insufficient information" has been provided to determine whether the development will have an ‘unacceptable impact’ upon protected species and habitats.

It is also considered that ‘insufficient evidence’ has been submitted to demonstrate whether the proposal would contribute to and enhance the natural and local environment by "minimising impacts on and providing net gains" for biodiversity. Therefore, the proposal is "contrary" to a policy of the Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.