Countryside land in Warsop is earmarked for lodge-style homes

In February, Mansfield District Council rejected a bid for one self-build, two-storey, detached four-bedroom property, with landscaping and parking, on a site off Church Road (A60) next to Meden School.

Council officers labelled it “a wholly inappropriate form of development, detrimental and corrosive to the rural setting in which the dwelling would be based”.

They added: “It would result in harm to the setting and significance of nearby Mill Farm, which is a non-designated heritage asset, and to the character and appearance of the Church Warsop Conservation Area.

"This parcel of land has historically remained undeveloped. This scheme would contribute to the cumulative erosion of the area’s verdant rural character.”

However, despite the damning verdict, a fresh application for an even larger residential development has now been submitted to the council.

It asks for permission in principle to the building of between four and nine self-contained lodge-style homes on the land, which spans almost an acre (0.36 hectares).

Full details have yet to be announced, but planning papers insist the homes would be permanent and not holiday accommodation.

The applicants are listed as Mr and Mrs Paling, whose agent for the scheme is the Nottingham-based company, Grace Machin Planning and Property.

A statement, submitted by Grace Machin, says: “This application follows the recent refusal of planning permission for a single self-build dwelling.

"Having carefully considered the council’s decision, the applicant has reviewed the development potential of the site and now brings forward an alternative proposal.

"The site is capable of accommodating a modest residential scheme that would make a positive contribution to local housing provision.

"Should permission in principle be granted, a subsequent application would provide comprehensive information relating to site layout, appearance, scale, landscaping, access arrangements, drainage, ecology, highways considerations and all other technical matters.”

Grace Machin accepts that the lodge-style homes would be “an alternative housing product”. But it stressed they could “appeal to a variety of household sizes and demographics” and would be “capable of meeting demand from a range of occupiers while making efficient use of the site”.

The statement concludes: “A balanced housing market requires a range of dwelling types, sizes and formats to meet the changing needs of residents.”

The council’s planning officers are currently considering the proposal and have set a deadline date of Tuesday, July 14 for a decision or recommendation.

THE details of many planning applications can be found in public notices advertised by local and regional newspapers. To catch up on all the latest public notices, go to https://publicnoticeportal.uk/