Plans for 21st century palladian style villa in Bamford rejected

The proposed palladian style villa has been rejected

A planning application to build a ‘modern classic’ house at land off Bamford Old Hall was rejected at the Planning and Licensing Committee on Tuesday (28 March).

The rejection, which was moved by Councillor Robert Clegg, came as a response to Councillor Allen Brett’s move to refer the application to the Secretary of State.

The application outlined a proposal to build ‘a crescent-shaped dwelling’ of 1,209 square metres on greenbelt land in Bamford.

The curved form of the house would wrap around the historic pond, which is likely to have been created to serve the original Bamford Hall, as the external focal point of the development.

The house was designed to reflect the picturesque/palladian villa movement, where elegant and fine houses of substance were set in a naturalistic landscape.

The landscape proposals also include the formation of a path from the garden to the restored ice house, and included the submission of ‘a woodland management plan’ for Bamford Wood, which occupies part of the site.

Bamford Wood is protected by a Tree Preservation Order.

Historically, the site formed part of the Bamford Estate and the original Hall was constructed perhaps as early as the 13th century.

In 1951, the hall was demolished by James Berry Ltd, and the current properties on the adjacent site, Bamford Hall and Bamford Old Hall, were constructed.

The site and its surrounding are considered to be of significant historical, evidential, aesthetic and communal value, as a good example of a small country parkland developed in the 19th century by the Fenton family, who acquired the Hall in 1816.

Speaking on behalf of the objectors was Scott Cresswell, who outlined how the plans did not fit with the National Policy Framework.

Owner of the land, Mark Beswick, and his architect, appeared in favour of the application made by Mr Beswick.

Mr Beswick said: “My parents used to own Bamford Old Hall, but the house was sold in 2013 after my father died and my mother was unable to maintain it. We still own the land.”

Mr Beswick and the architect said ‘minor amendments’ had been made to the application. They added: “We need this kind of design in Rochdale, a modern, classic design. Some other designs like the ‘Caterpillar House’ have really taken off.”

The applicant’s architect describes the proposed house as ‘a 21st century replacement for the Old Bamford Hall’ even though it will not stand within the original gardens, but in open farmland.

Councillors Ian Duckworth, Peter Winkler and Michael Holly also spoke.

Councillor Duckworth said: “It all comes down to a matter of taste. It’s massive and overbearing and not worth the price of putting up. Tastes change and the building will be left because fashions change."

Councillor Winkler added: “It was monstrous then and it’s monstrous now. Unique it isn’t. What is unique is the woodland.

“There’s nothing stopping the developer restoring the ice house or the woodland he loves so much. This house isn’t fundamental to his children enjoying the site.”

The application then went to discussion, led by Councillor Pat Sullivan.

She said: “The main fact is the greenbelt is permanent. The rest is opinion and conjecture.

“Who is going to monitor the woodland and the ice house? No one. It’s a dead-end road. People don’t drive down there or ride their horses down.

“I’m very concerned because it is a bonny spot. It will be hideous if it’s built on.”

Councillor Hussain added his main concern was the proposal to build on the greenbelt.

Councillor Sheerin stated he believed the proposed development was simply ‘in the wrong place’, adding that it was ‘too close to the cottages, doesn’t blend in or enhance or protect the land as outlined in the core strategy’.

The Core Strategy was adopted by the Council in October to promote a greener environment, deliver sustainable developments, protect and enhance character, landscape and heritage and protect the greenbelt, amongst other policies.

His comment was echoed by Councillor Peter Rush, who thought the development was ‘beautiful, but in the wrong area’.

The councillors also disputed the ‘palladian style’ claim of the dwelling.

However, Councillor Brett supported the application. He said: “If we don’t agree this, we won’t be granting anything in future for the development of the borough. I’m in favour.”

He was seconded by Councillor Surinder Biant.

Councillor Linda Robinson said: “It’s an over development of one area. It’s not the fact that it’s on greenbelt, it’s a monstrosity on the greenbelt that reminds me of a hospital.”

Councillor Clegg said: “It does not meet the requirements set out. I’m refusing this on the grounds that it impacts the open site and impacts the heritage area.”

He was seconded by Councillor Sullivan.

The applicant can now appeal to the Secretary of State if he wishes.

A previous application was rejected as the site was located within the greenbelt and did not fall within one of the exceptions to inappropriate development. The proposed dwelling was considered to be inappropriate development in the greenbelt and by definition harmful.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/100204/objections-to-plans-to-build-house-fifteen-times-larger-than-the-average-uk-house-on-green-belt-land