Laing O鈥橰ourke chair denied permission for new mansion because it is too big
Laing O鈥橰ourke chief executive and chair Ray O鈥橰ourke has lost his appeal to demolish and rebuild his mansion in Essex.
O鈥橰ourke appealed Brentwood council鈥檚 decision in May to deny him planning permission to abolish his existing home in Brentwood, thought be valued at around 拢7m, and rebuild it with a new building because it is in the conservation area of Fryerning in Brentwood, Essex.
On Wednesday the appeal was refused by the Planning Inspectorate because the replacement mansion would be 62 sqm bigger than the current one.
In her decision planning inspector Christine Newmarch, said: 鈥淭he increased footprint of the replacement dwelling would result in some loss of openness of the green belt. This would be harmful since a fundamental aim of green belt policy is to keep land permanently open.鈥�
O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 representative argued that the proposed rebuild would result in a smaller building than if O鈥橰ourke went ahead with plans for a two storey extension that he already has permission for.
But Newmarch said she doubted if O鈥橰ourke would proceed with this because he acknowledged it had a number of disadvantages including lower energy efficiency and the lack of a basement.
However, she did say that the character of the proposed house would not adversely effect the street scene of the conservation area.
O鈥橰ourke has six weeks to challenge the decision in the High Court.
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