By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans to build a new Georgian-style country house on Rushcliffe green belt land have been turned down.
Despite saying “an Englishman’s home is his castle”, councillors found the designs were too large to justify.
The application would have demolished a bungalow in the grounds of the Grade II-listed Easthorpe House in the village of Ruddington, and replaced it with a two-storey “high-status country house”.
Rushcliffe Borough Council officers said a replacement building should be the same size as the original, but the proposal was nearly twice as large.
Councillor Debbie Mason (Con) told the planning committee on Thursday (September 12): “This is a very large house. It’s certainly lovely, but is it appropriate on this site? I don’t think it is.
“We’ve seen so many things a lot smaller than this denied on the greenbelt, and we say we’ll always protect that space.”
The application for land off Flawforth Lane was made by local dentist Kamal Singh Missan, who also had a similar plan refused in 2022.
Several members of the planning committee said they were sympathetic to the idea, but couldn’t get around the size or location.
Councillor Stuart Ellis (Con) said: “It could be a net benefit to the community in replacing an unattractive, decrepit building with an attractive, modern one.
“But I accept our greenbelt policy makes it very, very difficult.”
Georgian architecture was a popular building style in the 1700s and early 1800s, with examples such as the grand Chatsworth House in Derbyshire.
Councillor Rowan Bird (Ind), who was one of four committee members who voted in support of it, said: “I keep thinking ‘An Englishman’s home is his castle.’
“If the application is refused, what will happen to the house? Will it be used, or fall into decay?
“[Green belt] regulations weren’t designed for this type of building.”
Ward councillor Mike Gaunt (Lab) also spoke in support, saying: “The current building is in need of substantial repair.
“Its removal will improve attractiveness of the house and stables, and return the area to its true historical setting.”
He added the building was well hidden and impossible to see from the road.
Council officers said they had warned the applicant that it was “inappropriate” at every stage.
The committee rejected the plans by seven votes to four.
