Plans to build a new detached home on land adjacent to an existing house in Leek have been refused by Staffordshire Moorlands District Council.

The plans, submitted by a Ms S Willis, sought permission to construct a detached house on land adjacent to 3 Rochford Close in Leek.

However, the plans were refused by the district council. They were met with opposition from nearby residents, with 11 letters of objection being received in relation to the plans.

A design and access statement submitted as part of the application said: "The site lies in the westerly section of the garden to 3 Rochford Close which is a cul de-sac.

"The existing garden area is well screened to the side and rear boundaries with fence panelling and a coniferous hedge. Any screening lost in the development would be replanted to maintaing screening to the garden areas."

Speaking about the proposed plans, it added: "The proposal would seek to build a high standard two storey property ... with similar appearance and accommodation of that of the existing dwelling.

"Whilst visually the property would look very similar to the existing, the building specification in meeting the current Building Regulations would see changes in producing a property with significant energy saving benefits."

One of the letters of objection, picked at random, from a Mrs Kerry Probyn, felt that the development would cause parking issues if it was given the green light.

They said: "As somebody who lived in Rochford Close for 21 years and still continues to visit family there on a weekly basis, I strongly object to this application. The addition of another property onto the existing site would not be in keeping with the layout and characteristics of the properties already in the close.

"Most property owners in the close have multiple vehicles and do not have the garage or driveway space to accommodate these. Therefore there are already numerous vehicles parked on the highway on a regular basis.

"Moreover, most of the property owners also have regular visitors also resulting in additional parked vehicles on the highway. Not only would this proposal increase the number of vehicles driving and parking in the close through the residents and their own visitors, but also it aims to remove a section of available roadside parking in order to create access to a new driveway."

Other letters of objection felt that the house would obstruct the view and ruin the uniformity of the area.

Refusing the application, the district council's planning officers concluded that the development would "fail to preserve the local distinctiveness" of the area.

They said: "The development would provide a dwelling within an established, suburban, residential area within the settlement of Leek and would make a contribution to housing supply.

"However, there would be significant harm to the character and appearance of the area and the development would fail to preserve local distinctiveness.

"The harm identified would amount to an adverse impact that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the associated benefits that would include a very small contribution to housing supply, local economy and community."