AN appeal bidding to overturn Cheshire West and Chester Council’s rejection of plans at Davenham Tennis Club has been dismissed by a planning inspector.

The proposal for a new house on the London Road land – south east of the Davenham Roundabout – had been turned down by CWAC, whose planning officers said the development would ‘erode’ the character of the countryside.

The applicant appealed the decision, aiming to gain permission for the two-storey, three-bedroom home with detached garage, but a planning inspector said plans conflicted with the area’s development plan.

Five years ago, the Government’s planning inspectorate also dismissed an appeal for similar plans – again after they were rejected by CWAC.

The planning appeal had cited similar developments gaining approval, adding that, under the Self Build Act 2015, CWAC ‘is not distinguishing between the normal planning process and the provisions made under’ the act.

It added: “Given that the site is close to the settlement and on its individual site characteristics has been found not to have any adverse landscape impacts – and in addition has the full benefits of the sustainability of the very close proximity of the settlement in all respects – it is ideally and suitably sited for an exceptional self-build plot of land.”

The inspector said: “The main issue is whether the site is a suitable location for housing, with regard to the development strategy for the area.

“The appellant’s case, as originally submitted, was that the council’s development plan is silent in relation to self-build and therefore could not be considered up-to-date.

“The appellant now accepts that the statutory duties of the act are recognised and addressed.

“In this case, the benefits of the proposals are not exceptional and would not outweigh the substantial harm that would arise from the conflict with the up-to-date development plan.”