The application site is situated in Woodhouse, defined as a Small Village and Hamlet in the hierarchy of settlements as set out in Policy CS1 of the Charnwood Local Plan 2011-2028 Core Strategy. This is considered to be a settlement where there are few or no services and residents rely upon larger settlements for day to day needs. Therefore, taking account of the location and accessibility of the site, the proposal would not be in a sustainable location for new housing development, nor would it enhance or maintain the vitality of rural communities. Whilst the proposal may be considered to be small scale, it is not considered that a local need for the development has been demonstrated by a Neighbourhood Plan or other community-led strategy. As such, it would conflict with Policies CS1, CS11 and CS25 of the Core Strategy and the National Planning Policy Framework.

It is the opinion of the local planning authority that by reason of its design, layout and form the proposed development would result in a cramped and unsuitable form of residential accommodation for future occupiers. The development would provide an unacceptable and unsuitable level of residential amenity to future occupiers. Accordingly, it is considered the proposal fails to comply with policies CS2 of the Charnwood Local plan and Policy EV/1 of the Borough of Charnwood Local Plan and the advice contained within the National Planning Policy Framework and the National Design Guide which all seek to secure high quality sustainable development.

This part of Woodhouse is characterised by large irregular dwellings set in spacious plots which gives the street a distinctive character and pleasant appearance within the Conservation Area. The proposal would involve the development of a single storey building on a back-land site which would be at variance with this established character. Furthermore, the local planning authority is not satisfied that this development in depth would not give rise to additional domestic noise, disturbance and lighting nuisance, including that arising from the increased use of the shared driveway. The proposal is therefore likely to impact significantly on the amenities of existing neighbouring occupiers and the character of the area generally and would be contrary to Policies CS2 and CS25 of the Charnwood Local Plan Core Strategy, saved Policy EV/1 of the Borough of Charnwood Local Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework.