Plans to convert a former potato store into two four bedroom homes have been refused after planners agreed it was “undesirable due to its unacceptably isolated location.

The application was for prior approval - which would then pave the way for a full application, to convert the unused potato store in Hospital Road, Doddington, into two four-bedroom homes.

But a report by officers recommended the proposal by Mr I Gowler acting as agent for R A Development for refusal.

A letter outlining the planning officer’s decision gave two reasons for refusal.

The first was the “unacceptably isolated location” which would result in an unsustainable development in the open countryside, for which there was no special justification.

And secondly the proposal for residential development would “demonstrably harm the open character of the countryside and would therefore not enhance the immediate setting.”