Councillors have refused planning permission for a modern family home to be built in a village, saying that it would be out of character and damage protected landscape.

Outline planning permission had already been granted for the site in Laflouder Lane, Mullion to be used for a new home.

But a reserved matters application which set out the detailed plans and design of the family home was refused permission by Cornwall Council's west sub-area planning committee this morning.

The refusal came following a number of concerns from locals and the parish council that the development could have a negative impact on the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Applicant Andrew Witheywood told councillors that he and his wife wanted to build their "dream home".

He said:

"It has been suggested that we are developers wanting to make a quick buck but that certainly isn't the case. We would love the opportunity to build our dream home where our family can settle.

"We are a local couple, I am a fireman in Helston and medical responder in Helston and I also drive ambulances to help with shortages. My wife is a district nurse and we have two school-age children. I grew up on the Lizard and went to Mullion School and played football and managed Mullion Football Club for many years."

Mr Witheywood said that they had amended their original plans to address the concerns of local people, reducing the height of the planned new home and cutting the amount of windows in the property.

He said that they had chosen a flat roof for the new home to minimise the impact it would have on neighbouring properties and said that surrounding homes were higher.

And he said that trees and vegetation around the site would provide natural screening for the property to prevent impact on views.

He said that whilst people were concerned about the modern design of the property there were already several contemporary homes in Mullion. And he said that the design would create an ecological and energy efficient family home.

Anthony Soady, Cornwall councillor for Mullion, objected to the application saying:

"It is absolutely not keeping in with the local style.

"The proposal to construct a two-storey style of building in this location is just unacceptable."

He added: "It is like building a block of flats on St Michael's Mount."

Committee members said that they were concerned about the impact on the AONB but planning officers highlighted that outline planning permission had already been granted for development on the site.

Planning officer Mark Broomhead said:

"We are committed to building something there even if it is not this today. You have to weigh up whether this is appropriate."

Andrew Mitchell said that he agreed with "views that the design is completely unacceptable for that area" but he said that the council should negotiate with the applicants to get something more in keeping with the area.

However, the committee decided to refuse the application on the grounds that it was considered to neither enhance nor conserve the AONB.

Councillors voted six in favour and two against refusing planning permission.

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