A PROPOSAL to build a new home in Leftwich and renovate the neighbouring listed building has fallen through – for the third time.

The plans were rejected by Cheshire West and Chester Council, which also turned down a similar concept in 2017 after a two-home proposal was withdrawn the previous year.

Despite new plans setting the brick and slate house back in the style of a low-lying ‘outbuilding’ so as not to disrupt the pattered terraces on either side, the application received a raft of objections after being submitted in September.

The plans also included a vision to work on neighbouring 268 London Road, addressing mismatched brickwork and flaking stone on the grade II-listed cottage.

Submitting the plans, developers said: “The proposals at 268 London Road are considered to safeguard and enhance the heritage asset and the character and setting of the site of acknowledged significance.

“Previous schemes on the site have seen a large two-storey, more modern in appearance dwelling proposed and rejected.

“The current scheme proposes a more sympathetic design and therefore safeguards the site from future inappropriate development.”

“Not only this, the scheme enhances the existing setting and significance by reinforcement of historical design and detailing elements within its elevational treatment.”

One neighbour said in a consultation: “We feel that the house would [mean] a serious lack of privacy and loss of natural light to ourselves and neighbouring properties. It is also not ‘in keeping’ with the design, look and feel of the houses surrounding and including 268 London Road, it’s a wholly inappropriate design and would stick out like a sore thumb.”

“We also feel that this build could set a precedent for others or developers to follow if this application goes through.

“Extremely anxious over this proposed development is an understatement, it is like a very dark shadow hanging over us – which could be very true if this new build happens in the future.”