PLANS to extend a cottage and studio in a rural hamlet have been refused by the local planning authority.

An application was submitted to Northumberland County Council to extend and alter Heron Well, in Carrshield, an area designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The design and access statement said Heron Well comprises a one-bedroom stone-built cottage with an ancillary stone barn containing a studio.

Next door, Fell View Cottage forms the other part of the short terrace.

The statement explained the proposal sought to 'build a single-storey garden room to the front of the existing cottage to connect with the studio. Extend and rebuild the existing studio for the applicant’s use as an artist/illustrator in line with national and local policy regarding home working'.

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A wildflower roof was also proposed for the garden room, to allow the building to blend into the landscape and encourage biodiversity.

A separate document said the proposed materials, scale, massing and proportion used would reflect the surrounding landscape and create harmony with neighbouring buildings.

Two neighbours responded to the application, one in support and one objecting to the plans.

The notice of refusal of planning permission from the county council said: "By virtue of the overall design, scale and massing, the single storey flat roofed extension and rebuilt studio with extension would result in an incongruous addition to the existing dwelling.

"The proposed extension and alterations would not be in keeping with the traditional style and character of the existing dwelling and the surrounding North Pennines National Landscape (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) and are considered to be detrimental to the visual amenity of the property, the site and the surrounding area.

"Therefore, it is considered that the proposal conflicts with Policies HOU9, QOP1, ENV1, ENV3, ENV6 and ENV7 of the Northumberland Local Plan, the National Planning Policy Framework, the principles of the North Pennines AONB Building Design Guide and the principles of the North Pennines AONB Planning Guidelines."

For more information go to the council's planning portal and search for reference number 23/04421/FUL.