PLANS to build two new homes at a former nursery in Lymm will not go ahead.

Developers had wanted to construct the detached houses on Burford Lane in the village.

But the scheme was thrown out by Warrington Borough Council in November.

Now a government planning inspector has agreed that the impact on the green belt would be too great as she dismissed an appeal by developers.

The land was most recently used as a garden centre and the plans would have seen detached homes built, similar in size to ones already close by on Burford Lane.

But the council said they would cause harm to the green belt.

A government planning inspector has looked at the area and agree with the council.

The report said: “The proposal would significantly increase the amount of built development towards the front of the site, due to both its position within it and the two-storey nature.

“It would therefore be significantly more visible than the existing structures from viewpoints along Burford Lane.

“While existing landscaping, and mature trees to the rear of the site, would screen the development to an extent there would nevertheless be a degree of harm to the green belt by way of loss of openness.

“The appeal site is a large site set within the open countryside.

“Having been disused as a garden centre for some time, the site is now predominantly grassed.

“The remaining single storey structures associated with the former business are set to the rear of the site and are not highly prominent in the public realm.

“While they are in a deteriorating condition, they are compatible with the site’s rural location and do not have an adverse impact on the character or appearance of the area.

“While I acknowledge that the site is currently overgrown, it nevertheless makes a positive contribution to the open appearance and rural character of the countryside.

“The introduction of a pair of substantial dwellings of a suburban appearance, including the accessway and an area of hardstanding for parking of vehicles, in this location would cause harm to the character and appearance of the area.

“I acknowledge that this would be a means by which the overgrown nature of the site would be remedied, but any benefits in this respect would be significantly outweighed by the harm caused by the development.”