A self-builder has won a planning battle with the local authority after an inspector has allowed his amplified plans in a Rutland village to go ahead. 

Permission was originally granted in November 2023 by Rutland County Council for the three-bedroom 'cottage style' home with a detached garage on a green field on the corner of Water Lane in Ashwell. 



The proposed site is on Water Lane in Ashwell (Photo: LDRS)

But six months later, the authority decided that applicant Mr Evans could not change the terms of the planning and instead build a larger four-bedroom home with an integrated double garage. The new plans have a quarter more floorspace than the previous scheme. 

The site is in the village's conservation area and the authority decided: "The proposed amendments change the character and identity of the building detrimentally and to the extent that design quality and character have been lost. It no longer represents a building that enhances the positive characteristics of the settlement." 

However, after deciding to take the matter to appeal and to be considered by an independent inspector, the applicant can now get his way and build the larger property. He disagreed that the larger home would be out of keeping with the area. 

In his written decision issued on March 26, planning inspector G Sibley said: "The proposed dwelling with dormers built into the eaves would be similar in height to other houses in the nearby area. Whilst 2 Water Lane is a bungalow the neighbouring Home Farm is taller than the proposed dwelling. The height of the proposed dwelling would show a stepped increase between these buildings either side of it. 

"Furthermore, the dwelling would be set behind a large garden and driveway bound by hedges and trees and would retain gaps between it and the boundaries of the site and would thus sit comfortably within the plot, similar to other houses in the CA. The development would also be sited between existing houses on Water Lane as well as development to the rear of it. As such, the siting of this scheme, in this location surrounded by development would be appropriate within this context."  

The plan is to build the home in limestone with a slate roof. 

The Water Lane section of Ashwell, is architecturally important as it was designed by celebrated Victorian architect William Butterfield, known for his domestic revival style, in which houses are generally set behind green frontage walls. Butterfield also restored St Mary's Church in the village. 

In May 2024 the parish council had objected to the amended development as it said: "The plan we are now asked to consider has an additional bedroom, a higher roof line, a flipped L shape on the rear of the building with a full balcony instead of the original proposed Juliet balcony. The garage roof is excessively high and is now a separate construction with a link between house and garage." 

There have been six previous applications to build on the site, which have all been refused.