THE district council has approved controversial plans for a new house – described as a ‘carbuncle’ – in Bourton-on-the-Water, despite concerns over highway safety, parking and impact on the street scene.

A decision on the new home, to be built on greenspace on Roman Way, was deferred from last month’s Cotswold District Council (CDC) planning committee meeting in order for members to undertake a site visit.

Speaking before members on Wednesday (March 8), Cllr Robert Hadley, vice chairman of Bourton Parish Council, repeated objections made at last month’s meeting.

He said there would be harm to the street scene as the house “encroaches well beyond the existing build line”.

What’s more, he argued the green buffer needed to be preserved at the end of the terrace due to the high volume of traffic in adjoining Station Road, while motorist’s vision at the junction would be impaired.

“If there is no on-site parking as currently proposed vehicles will be obliged to park on streets in an area where parking is already at a premium, and where there is considerable extra traffic congestion at the beginning and end of the school day,” he added.

Councillors Robin Hughes and David Fowles said they feared this could set a precedent for potential developments in the remaining green spaces on the estate.

However, committee members who undertook the sight visit were less concerned.

Cllr Ray Brassington said: “I don't think it would a great deal of harm, and I don't think the visual aspects are sufficient to recommend refusal.”

Cllr Jenny Forde, who was also on the visit, said there would be “little impact on the road in terms of visibility” – however, “it would breach the uniformity” of the other terraces.

Gloucestershire County Council’s highways department made no objections with regards to visibility of traffic at the junction.

Cllr Hughes said the lack of “clear alignment” with the other houses is an issue because “this is an entrance into Bourton, which is an important town in our district”.

Ward member Cllr Len Wilkins described the house as a ‘carbuncle’.

However, Cllr Patrick Coleman said: "In a way, it's better to have it obviously as a later addition than it is to have it trying to look like it was built at the same time and having the front flush.

“Longer standing communities have developed and they tend not to have developed with each bit added on in exactly the same way. Each bit tends to be a little bit higher, a little bit lower, different roofing and all the rest of it.”

12 members voted in favour of the application, following the proposal from Cllr Mark Harris.