Permission in principle to build a countryside bungalow in the Ribble Valley has been refused by the council.

The application was sought by a Mr David Higgins, who was looking to build the bungalow set slightly back from Pendleton Road in Wiswell.

The first stage of the application looked to Ribble Valley Borough Council to approve the site for development before a further application was sent in detailing the specifics of the build.

READ MORE: Two family homes in Whalley plan refused by council

This has taken a hit, though, with the council saying further development on the site would introduce more urbanisation and detract from the rural character of the area.

Though the planned site is in rural countryside, there are three detached homes immediately to the south-west of the site, a further two detached homes to the north-west, and four holiday lodges also close by.

A decision notice from the council said: “The proposal would lead to the creation of a new residential dwelling in the defined open countryside without sufficient justification insofar that it has not been adequately demonstrated that the proposal would meet any of the exception criteria, including meeting a local housing need or providing regeneration benefits.

“A new dwelling on this site would introduce further urbanisation and detract from the rural character. Furthermore, the siting of the application site outside of the defined settlement area of Wiswell means that future occupants would likely be reliant on a private motor vehicle.”

READ MORE: Slaidburn 'farming enterprise' can start after barn approval

A planning statement submitted to the council said: “The proposed building would be in a one-and-a-half storey design to compliment the local architectural vernacular of the adjacent, utilising natural slate roofing and natural stone walling.

“The scale of the proposed building would be in keeping with the immediate area. The proposed dwelling will be an environmentally low-impact home designed and built using sustainable materials and technology to reduce its carbon footprint and energy needs to a minimum.”

The applicant has six months to appeal the council’s decision.