Plans to demolish the Ram Jam Inn off the A1 at Stretton and build four commercial units on the site have been vetoed by a Government planning inspector.

Godwin Developments lodged an appeal after its application to develop the site - incorporating the inn, an area of overgrown open land and a large car park - was refused by the county council in October last year.

But he inspector has dismissed the Birmingham-based developer's appeal.

Godwin Developments wanted to demolish the inn and build three drive-through units and one drive-in commercial unit around the edge of the site with central parking for up to 88 vehicles.

The development, the company said, would generate up to 160 full and part-time jobs.

In dismissing the appeal, the Government inspector report states: "There would be a substantial extent of unbroken hard surfacing and buildings across the site which, along with parked vehicles, would result in a dominant and oppressive environment.

"There would be little visual relief to this with landscaping generally marginalised to the outer peripheries of the site.

"Such a built-up layout would be visually unattractive and a marked change from the existing situation with trees, including a protected group of apple trees, and grassland behind the inn.

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"The proposed replacement of the trees with provision elsewhere some distance away would do nothing to compensate for loss on the site itself.

"The harm to the character and appearance of the area would remain significant and long-standing by reason of the unsightly over-development."

The Ram Jam Inn has been closed for almost six years and while the site has an historic association with highwayman Dick Turpin, the building is not listed and has been unsympathetically altered and extended.