Hopes to turn an “eyesore” former dog kennels into new homes have been turned down after the proposals were branded as “cramped” by councillors. 

An application was put forward to demolish the existing buildings at the Tilbrook Mill Kennels and to build five new houses in its place. 

The new homes were proposed to include three four-bedroom houses, and one five-bedroom house. 

The plans to redevelop the site to the west of Tilbrook was supported by Tilbrook Parish Council, but had been recommended for refusal by planning officers at Huntingdonshire District Council. 

In a report presented to the district council’s development management committee this week (Monday, May 22) it said: “The proposed development is in an unsustainable location. 

“[It] would be located in the open countryside and does not accord with any of the specific opportunities for development provided for by policies of the Huntingdonshire Local Plan 2036. 

“The proposed development would be out of context with the surrounding area and would fail to recognise the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside through residential intensification within an open agricultural landscape.” 

Adrianna Aston, a representative of the developer Blenheim Homes Ltd, told councillors that “numerous attempts” had been made during the planning application process to speak with the district council about the plans. 

However, she said they were unable to get a “meaningful response” and now faced the recommendation for the application to be refused. 

Ms Aston said the proposed redevelopment would “dramatically improve the overall appearance” of the site. 

She added that people living in Tilbrook also currently needed to use their cars to access services and facilities elsewhere. 

She said: “The proposal offers a sustainable reuse of the site that might otherwise fall into disrepair. 

“The proposals will deliver five high quality homes on previously developed land and will result in fewer vehicular movements on the site.” 

Cllr Steve Corney said the application was a “difficult” one to decide, but said he agreed with the planning officer’s recommendation for refusal. 

Cllr Sam Wakeford said the decision was a “finely balanced” one, but said he was concerned about the “absence of active travel connections or safe connections to the village”. 

Cllr Eric Butler said he was not against the former kennels being redeveloped, but said he could not support the current proposals. 

He said: “This is cramped, it is building in the countryside. I think if the footprint kept to pretty much what it is, it would be a better design, but it is just too much and too far out from the village. 

“I do not think anybody would disagree that something should be done on that site, but this is definitely not it.” 

However, some councillors said they disagreed and believed the plans should be approved. 

Cllr Lara Davenport-Ray highlighted that the district council had a policy supporting building new homes on brownfield sites. 

She said: “Looking at the design of the proposals, it is a clear and substantial enhancement to that brownfield site.” 

Cllr Ian Gardener said the new homes would be able to use the Ting bus service, and would therefore not be solely reliant on private cars. 

He said the site was currently an “eyesore” and that something needed to be done on the land.  

Cllr Gardener said: “I do think this particular development works on this site.” 

When the application was put to a vote 12 councillors voted in support of refusing the plans and two councillors voted against this.