HOUSING plans for part of a former farmyard at Little Leigh have been refused by Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The scheme envisaged the demolition of derelict barns and the building of four properties, two three-bed and two four-bed.

The farmyard is called Ash Tree Farm, and is situated on the north side of Ash House Lane. Planning permission has previously been granted for the use of the entire farmyard for equestrian purposes.

Little Leigh Parish Council opposed the scheme because the proposed development would involve the replacement of agricultural buildings with residential properties, which was inappropriate in the Green Belt.

The scheme was rejected because it represented development in the countryside beyond an established settlement boundary and not within a built envelope of a defined settlement.

The decision notice said: “The proposed development would fail to promote sustainable communities; would not be readily accessible to shops, primary schools, employment facilities or community facilities; would not have good connections to public transport and would be primarily reliant on the use of private motor vehicles; and does not require a countryside location.

“As such, the proposed development is considered to represent an unsustainable form of development having regard to the location of the site, contrary to the provisions of policies of the Cheshire West and Chester Council Local Plan and National Planning Policy Framework.”