Plans for a housing development near Stowmarket have been rejected by planners, citing “unacceptable” harm to a listed building and traffic concerns.
The outline application for five homes in the grounds of a Grade II listed house on the edge of the town is the first of several applications in the Stowupland parish which have reemerged in recent months.
Developers have added to or resubmitted plans which have previously not been granted permission in the hope that a lack of housing supply will increase their chances of approval.
The five home proposal off Stowupland Road was rejected by Mid Suffolk District Council planning officers after Stowmarket Town Council, Stowupland Parish Council, Suffolk Highways and Mid Suffolk’s heritage officers all objected.
In his refusal, case officer Stephen Burgess said: “The proposed development is considered to be excessive over development of the site, which would result in an unduly cramped and cluttered appearance.”
He added that the “small” public benefit of delivering five homes in the area did not outweigh the potential for harm on the setting of the listed The Uplands house and the associated Coach House.
A “flawed” heritage assessment from the applicant was also criticised for misunderstanding National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) rules regards heritage assets.
Due to a lack of houses being built in Mid Suffolk, applications currently only need to meet national planning policy and prove they are “sustainable”, reducing the power to prevent housing.
The application has been made by the owner of The Uplands house. He previously submitted the same planning application more than two years ago, but it was rejected in March 2015.
Suffolk County Council recommended the plans were refused over highways concerns. They had concerns over visibility onto the busy Stowupland Road, intense use of the small private access road and a potential lack of parking.
The agent for the application has been approached for comment.
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