A Government inspector has turned down plans for five homes in the Lake District.
The Planning Inspectorate has dismissed an appeal from Bordriggs Farm Windermere Limited for outline planning permission to build up to five local occupancy homes on land off Kendal Road in Bowness.
In June, the Lake District National Park Authority refused the proposals. It said the four-bedroom properties would cause harm to the nearby Grade II listed Bordriggs Farm.
A report by the Planning Inspectorate inspector said Bordriggs Farm was within a peaceful and pastoral setting.
It added: “The proposal, through development of that open land which would erode the setting of Bordriggs Farm would subsequently cause significant harm to the heritage significance of the World Heritage Site.”
The applicants said according to ONS data, each household would contribute an average of £12,000 a year to retail and leisure sectors, which would help support local businesses.
It said: “The new homes would also provide social benefits and support social networks by providing local occupancy housing in the key rural service centre of Bowness, which is recognised as a settlement and community impacted by second home ownership and retirement properties.
“Older people living in the area can downsize, and local residents can benefit from the reduction in price resulting from the local occupancy planning condition, enabling them to buy where they grew up, and growing local families can move into larger homes.”
Windermere and Bowness Parish Council recommended refusal to the initial proposals as although it said it recognised the need for local occupancy housing, it had concerns over the impact on the historical landscape.
