The proposal would involve the construction of a large garage block detached from the Quorn Park complex of buildings and within the open countryside. The structure would have a visually damaging impact upon the character and appearance of the countryside and is, also, poorly designed, incorporating metal up and over doors. This impact would be exacerbated by the likely damage to the adjacent mature hedgerow resulting from this development. It is established planning policy, at both national and local level, that new development should be permitted outside established settlements in exceptional circumstances only. These circumstances normally relate to an agricultural need. The application site is located in the countryside and there are no exceptional circumstances which justify over-riding the normal planning policies. The proposed development would conflict with Strategy Policy 4-8 of the Leicestershire Leicester and Rutland Structure Plan and Strategy Policy 2 and Policy CT/1 of the adopted Borough of Charnwood Local Plan which promote sustainable development and seek to protect the rural character and appearance of the countryside.

It is the opinion of the local planning authority that, by reason of its location, form and design, the range of garages, particularly as an addition to the existing similar shorter range, would be likely to appear incongruous and out of character with the historic form and architectural detailing of the Quorn Park complex of buildings that are listed as being of architectural or historic interest. It is considered that the proposal would, therefore, adversely affect the setting of these listed buildings and, thereby, be contrary to the terms of Policy EV/5 of the adopted Borough of Charnwood Local Plan and Environment Policy 1 of the Leicestershire Leicester and Rutland Structure Plan.