Residents fear proposed house will dominate village (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Villagers at Bourton-on-the-Hill await outcome of planning committee

5:00pm Monday 8th October 2012 in News By Liz Day

WORRIED villagers at Moreton-in-Marsh will be anxiously awaiting the outcome of a planning meeting, which will take place on Wednesday, October 10.

The application for a new house with a detached garage at Bourton-on-the-Hill was referred to the planning committee after the parish council raised concerns that the house would dominate the village and nearby wood.

The council said Millennium Wood is a picturesque and valued spot, which is well loved by villagers, and added the view would be ruined if the applicant S&S Construction was given the go-ahead.

Cotswold District Council has received 25 objection letters from neighbours, arguing the property would cause a harmful impact on the character and appearance of Bourton-on-the-Hill and the surrounding area.

Other villagers objected to the excessive size and scale of the garage, the possibility of light pollution at night and the number of cars that could be parked at the site.

Case officer Ben Bendall has recommended the application should be approved because the proposals are considered to be in line with local planning policies and to meet design, heritage and environmental considerations.