PLANS for eight log cabins with hot tubs in Cheshire West have been rejected by council.
An application had been submitted to build the holiday cottages – which would offer three bedrooms, an open plan living area and outdoor seating on a back porch – on a plot of land on the A54 Chester Road near Little Budworth.
However, concerns have been raised about the location of the application site and its access to nearby facilities, as well as the potential damage to the “rural landscape”.
In a report recommending that the application be rejected, a council planning officer said: “The proposed development of new tourist accommodation comprising eight cottages is considered unacceptable in the open countryside.
“The location of the proposal is away from identified places that offer a good level of services and facilities.
“As a result, any holiday maker would rely heavily on private vehicles to reach them.
“Due to the nature, design and layout of the proposed lodges, as well as the formal access and associated tree removal, the scheme would also harm the broader rural landscape.
“The system would provide modest economic benefits, neutral social benefits (given the type and turnover of residents), and adverse environmental impacts.
“While concerns about the highways were addressed during the application process, the principle of the nature of the proposed development at this site is considered unsustainable.”
Each log cabin would have provided a kitchen, dining room and lounge, a master bedroom with ensuite toilet and bath, and two smaller double bedrooms sharing a shower cubicle and toilet.
A design and access statement prepared on behalf of the applicants said: “Covid-era restrictions on the global travel industry are encouraging more Brits to holiday in the UK.
“This growing demand in the domestic holiday market creates opportunities for the provision of overnight accommodation for visitors.
“One such opportunity is the proposed development of eight luxury holiday cottages near Tarporley.
“The proposed development would benefit Cheshire West’s economy while complementing the extensive existing tourist accommodation in the area.”
