Plans for eco-home rejected

A futuristic family home in the Herefordshire countryside whose design has delighted experts has left some locals unimpressed.

The Flow House would have been half-submerged in a south-facing hillside near the village Ullingswick, between Bromyard and Hereford.

This, combined with a heating and power system, described as the first of its kind in the UK, would have enabled it to be largely self-sufficient in power.

A range of measures would have boosted biodiversity in the surrounding landscape, while a new traditional perry pear orchard would have been created.

National planning policy requires new individual homes in the countryside to be of “truly outstanding design”.

Matt Tomkins, agent for the applicant, a local businessman, said the design had indeed been judged “outstanding” by an design review panel of independent experts, whose findings were not contested by council officers.

But summarising local objections, Ocle Pychard group parish council chairman Giles Blackmore said: “We are concerned about the impact on the landscape.

“It’s an intrusive building whose modernist design is not in keeping with our rural location.”

Agreeing, local councillor Jonathan Lester said: “Its sheer scale means it cannot respect the character of adjoining listed and historic developments.”

Noting the many reservations expressed in the expert panel’s report, Coun Jeremy Milln warned it would be “seen as an eyesore forever after”.

However planning committee vice-chair Coun Alan Seldon called it “an exceptional design which I would love to see built”.

The planning committee voted seven to three to refuse the plan.