AN appeal has been dismissed against a refusal, by East Hampshire District Council, to allow permission for a house on land west of The Barn at Headley Mill Farm, in Standford Lane, near Bordon

Appellant J Ellis & Sons had wanted to build the four-bedroom house for five people, with a double garage, after the demolition of a light industrial unit. In dismissing the appeal, Government planning inspector David Cliff said the “substantial” development would be harmful to the character and appearance of the area and the setting.

The significance of the adjacent conservation area and listed buildings was taken into account.

The site is also near the Wealden Heaths Phase Two Special Protection Area and the Woolmer Forest Special Area of Conservation.

He concluded: “In terms of overall sustainability, while the proposal would have some economic benefits - including limited short-term job opportunities, and it would make a modest contribution to the local housing supply - such economic and social benefits would be significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the harm arising from its location; accessibility; the harm to the character and appearance of the area, and the setting of heritage assets. These facts led me to conclude that the proposal would not amount to the sustainable development as sought by the National Planning Policy Framework.”