AN appeal for a conservatory at Loud River Barn, Clough Lane, Thornley-with-Wheatley, which Ribble Valley Council planning committee refused last July, has also been turned down by planning inspectors.

The plan, submitted by Mrs J Boardman in June 2000, was to build a conservatory to the rear of her property and adjoining the dining room.

The dwelling, converted from a former agricultural building, is situated in open countryside with three other dwellings nearby. All the properties are served by Clough Lane.

Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions Ruth MacKenzie said in her report that she acknowledged the desirability of having a conservatory, but to her mind, this does not mean that they should be permitted everywhere.

"The main issue is the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the existing dwelling and the surrounding Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)," she said.

Mrs MacKenzie added that though the proposed structure would not be visible from the lane, it would be visible to a number of walkers which use a nearby footpath. It was also pointed out that although the barn had been converted sympathetically and retained much of its original character, the plans for the conservatory did not.

Mrs MacKenzie also accepted that a neighbouring property had erected a conservatory to its rear, but explained this had been built using permitted development rights. Mrs Boardman's application did not have these rights.

"There are many barn conversions in the Forest of Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. If this application were to be granted planning permission, it would make it very difficult for Ribble Valley Council to resist others.

"The end result would be the gradual erosion of the area's natural beauty by numerous unsympathetic additions to rural buildings," she said.