Plans to convert Clitheroe home to holiday let refused again

Helen Fox proposed to Ribble Valley Borough Council earlier this year to turn the home in Goosebutts Lane, Clitheroe, into a holiday cottage.

The plans were rejected on the basis there would not be adequate car parking spaces and not enough information had been supplied about the mitigation of noise disturbances.

When re-submitting the design and access statement in November, Ms Fox raised concerns of inaccuracies in the officer’s report, saying it made repeated references to ‘the rear garden area’, despite the property not having one.

An aerial view of the house (Image: Ribble Valley Borough Council)

The statement said: "To the rear is a small and totally enclosed flagged yard area with a small corner for planting.

“This expression used is totally misleading and simply incorrect, yet weight seems to have been placed on this in the decision-making process.”

Despite this, planning bosses have rejected the proposals for a second time, now saying it would not be compatible with the surrounding area.

A decision notice from the council said: “Use of the application property as proposed would be incompatible with the residential character of the area and would have a harmful impact upon the amenity of the neighbouring residents.”

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The site would have been managed by Cottages.com which manages numerous properties in the Ribble Valley.

The statement continued: “The property is a four-bedroomed bungalow in good condition and a suitable location close to amenities, the town centre, and public transport availability.

“The proposal is a simple change of use from a family dwelling to a holiday let available only for certain times of the year.

“The only physical alteration to the site is the proposed erection of close boarded fencing on top of the existing dwarf wall along the western boundary of the rear yard."

Ms Fox has six months to appeal the decision.