Granny annexe approved in Wye Valley beauty spot

Herefordshire planners have given the go-ahead for annexe to be built at a home in a county beauty spot.

Applicant Adam Fisher applied to Herefordshire Council to build an annexe for his father on the site of his double garage at his home on Coppett Hill near Ross-on-Wye.

Council officers recommended approving the proposals at 3 Rocklands Cottages in Bearwood Cottage Lane, Goodrich subject to conditions such as protecting hedgerows and trees and restricting any separate sale of the building.

But Goodrich and Welsh Bicknor Parish Council objected the scheme which did not fit with their emerging neighbourhood development plan.

Parish councillor Martin Rowberry said the plans could also set a precedent, if approved.

He said: “The scale given that the proposed building is considerably larger footprint than the existing garage and an additional storey.

“It would set a precedent for all detached garages in Coppett Hill to be knocked down and replaced with significantly larger buildings for annexe accommodation.”

Patrick Chaterton, secretary of Coppett Hill Common Trust, said they also objected to the scheme which he said should be regarded as a new dwelling.

He said: “It is some distance from the main house and would most likely involve a total rebuild of the garage and a much larger footprint with a second storey.

“If planning permission is granted it is likely to lead to other properties in Coppett Hill to make similar planning requests which if granted would impact significantly on the nature of Coppett Hill.”

Mr Fisher said that there were 13 properties with residents who had not objected, and his nearest neighbour did not.

He said: “When my parents moved to south Herefordshire some 35 years ago nobody could imagine how much this location would change my life.

“The Wye Valley is a perfect place to be brought up. I have a four-year-old daughter and it is a dream come true to be bringing her up in my favourite place, Goodrich on Coppett Hill.

“We are applying to do the minimum amount possible to achieve this now for my father without having to move.

“We are doing the minimum amount possible so that we can bring different generations of our family together.

“There is no change to the address, there will not be one tree brought down our parking driveway our driveway will not change.”

Six councillors voted for the proposals and four against.