PLANS for a village development where new residents would build their own homes have been turned down.

Crown Inn Farm in Crown Lane, Lower Peover, was earmarked for 12 new self-build homes in a proposal submitted by Beluga Consultants on behalf of the landowner.

The scheme would have seen prospective homeowners given a 'passport' with design rules before they could create their own unique homes from scratch on the site.

But Cheshire West and Chester Council has now rejected the scheme – insisting it would not be built in a sustainable location and raising concerns over the impact on bat habitats.

In a report outlining the decision, planning officer Jill Stephens said: "While there are some benefits to the scheme, including affordable housing and self-build, they are elements which are policy compliant and therefore hold limited weight in the decision making process.

"The identified benefits of the scheme do not result in material considerations which would override the conflicts with the development plan which have been identified."

Ms Stephens added that it would be unlikely the scheme would secure a licence from Natural England allowing for the loss of habitat for bats on the land.

Crown Inn Farm ceased operating in 2014, although agricultural buildings remain on the 5,600 square metre site including a slurry store, two silage clamps and a two-storey farmhouse.

In the application, Beluga Consultants said the scheme would 'enable aspiring self-builders the opportunity to create and build their individual home through their vision, while meeting the requirements locally in terms of aesthetics'.