Conversion and enlargement of guest accommodation to create family dwelling

Why Was This Refused?

• ✓Proposal to convert and enlarge guest accommodation into a separate family dwelling at a detached property in Lonan
• ✓Scale of extension exceeded what countryside renovation policy allows
• ✓Resultant development treated as creation of a new countryside dwelling rather than ancillary accommodation
• ✓Presumption against new residential development in the countryside applied
• ✓Officer recommended refusal, which matched the final delegated decision
• ✓scale

This application sought permission to convert and enlarge existing guest accommodation at The Old Vicarage, Church Road, Lonan, to create a separate family dwelling. The site is the curtilage of a detached house located adjacent to Church Road in Lonan. The application was refused by delegated decision in January 2007. Two refusal reasons were given. The first was that the level of extension proposed was contrary to countryside renovation policy, which limits extensions to those providing only essential facilities and does not permit subsequent enlargements of this nature. The second was that the scale of the works went beyond what could reasonably be considered ancillary to the main dwelling, meaning the proposal amounted to the creation of a new dwelling in the countryside.

The application was refused on two grounds. First, the scale of the proposed extension went beyond what countryside renovation policy permits, which allows only extensions providing essential facilities. Second, the extent of the enlargement meant the result would effectively be a new dwelling in the countryside, which is contrary to area plan policy and guidance that presumes against new residential development in rural locations.

Policies Assessed (3)

Planning History (1)

Documents (16)