The application site is on the edge of Woodthorpe, a small settlement where the strategy for the countryside applies. It is established planning policy, at both national and local level, that new development should be permitted in such areas in exceptional circumstances only. These circumstances normally relate to residential development which has a strong relationship with the operational requirements of agriculture, horticultural, forestry and other land based industries and contributes to a low carbon economy or development involving exceptional quality or innovative nature of the design of the dwelling. It is considered that the proposal does not meet any of these exceptions. The site is considered to be an unsustainable location for new residential development and would result in unsustainable journeys by private car. Furthermore, the proposed development, would appear visually obtrusive and would detract from the rural appearance of Woodthorpe and the surrounding countryside. The proposal would therefore be contrary to the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework, Policies CS1, CS2 and CS11 of the Charnwood Local Plan Core Strategy, saved Policies ST/2, EV/1 and CT/1 of the Borough of Charnwood Local Plan and the adopted Supplementary Planning Document 'Leading in Design'.