Apartments at Ribbesford House Ribbesford Road, Bewdley

“23/0947/FUL Site Address: Ribbesford House, Ribbesford Road, Bewdley, Worcestershire DY12 2TG REFUSED for the following reasons:”

“The development would result in an over intensive use of the building to the detriment of the significance of the heritage asset (Grade II*) and would lead to inadequate standards of amenity for future occupiers in terms of the size of six apartments that fall below the nationally described space standards.”

“The proposed housing mix comprising mainly of one-bedroom apartments does not represent the housing needs of Bewdley and Rock ward, evidenced through the Bewdley Housing Needs Survey (April 2023) which identifies greatest demand for two- and three-bedroom homes, and is out of character with the lower density housing of the local rural area including Ribbesford as a minor rural settlement.”

“The loss of trees and vegetation required to facilitate the extent of proposed car parking provision would result in significant harm to landscape character that cannot be offset through replacement planting due to its proximity to the site boundary, which would be required in order to conceal parked cars from wider public viewpoints.”

“In the absence of information that demonstrates otherwise, the proposal would result in the loss of flora and trees that has the potential to support habitat and foraging activities of protected species, and in the absence of sufficient detail it cannot be confirmed that the development would not cause an offence under The Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 (as amended). Furthermore, insufficient information has been submitted with respect to…”

“Biodiversity Net Gain. The scheme therefore is contrary to Policy SP.23 and Paragraph 187 of the NPPF.”

“Insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that safe and suitable access for the proposal can be achieved in accordance with Highways standards. In the absence of this evidence, it has not been demonstrated that the scheme would not represent a highway safety hazard to all road users, including pedestrian, cyclist and equestrian users of bridleway RB-518, which is coincident with vehicle access to the site.”

“Insufficient information has been submitted to demonstrate that the scheme would not lead to an increased risk of flooding on- and off-site and that the development would achieve appropriate long-term sustainable management of surface and foul drainage. The development is therefore contrary to Policies SP.30, SP.31 and SP.32 of the Wyre Forest District Local Plan and Paragraphs 181-2 of the NPPF.”