Plans to build a three-bedroom house inside an exclusive gated community have been rejected.

The site of the house is in Eden Gardens in Brockhall Village, a community between Old Langho and Whalley.

The applicants, Mr and Mrs Preston, currently live in another detached property in Eden Gardens but have aspirations to downsize.

They wanted to take the opportunity to develop land they own for a smaller property due to their love for the area.

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However, the plans have been knocked back by Ribble Valley Borough Council.

In a decision notice, the council said the proposals were in direct conflict with the aims of the Ribble Valley Core Strategy and would lead to the creation of a new residential dwelling without sufficient justification.

The statement said: “Approval would lead to the introduction of an unsympathetic, anomalous, discordant, and visually cramped form of development that fails to respond positively to the inherent pattern of adjacent residential development or the inherent pattern of development that typifies the character of the area.

“It would be of measurable detriment to the character and visual amenities of the area and the immediate streetscene.”

A design and access statement submitted in January said the house has been designed to “nestle into the existing streetscape".

The statement added: “The material palette is simple, with Yorkshire stone walling and contrasting render to the walls, natural slate to the roof, and aluminium windows and rainwater goods.

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“Because the applicant is downsizing, they would ideally like to have the use of an external store where their belongings will not be able to be accommodated within the main dwelling.”

Mr and Mrs Preston are able to appeal the council’s decision within the next six months if they wish.

To read the council’s decision in full and to see the full plans, visit the council’s planning website.