A modern house that would have been built on stilts beside the river on the border between Norfolk and Suffolk has been turned down because of its adverse impact on nearby listed buildings.
South Norfolk Council has refused proposals for a modern house supported by stilts on a plot of land at the junction of Lower Denmark Street and Riverside in Diss.
A previous application for the site was also refused in 2017.
The latest plans for a single-storey two-bedroom house, with an open plan kitchen and dining area leading onto a balcony facing on to the River Waveney drew 42 objections, many arguing the house would be out of keeping with the traditional pink coloured houses in Fair Green, part of Diss Conservation Area.
Diss Town Council had also objected arguing that the proposed self-build house would not be in keeping with the historic listed buildings and would spoil a gateway into the town.
But the proposals had also received 18 letters in support.
The site owner Andy Robinson, of Conclomeg Construction Ltd, said: 'Should I build it with clay lump walls, wattle and daub inside a sod roof with a hole in the roof to let smoke out from the open fire surrounded by stones? No because we have moved on from that.
'Yes preserve what we have while they are still wanted, but does anybody drive into Diss from Palgrave over the bridge and say 'what beautiful old houses'. No.
'The younger generation don't want to live in cold draughty houses which cost a fortune to run and burden on our fragile environment. One day not to far away I believe that they will become obsolete and crumble away. So let's move forward and embrace old and new buildings together.'
In rejecting the planning application district council planners said the building would have an adverse impact on the conservation area and adjacent listed buildings.
They stated: 'The use of a single storey dwelling on stilts on this prominent location within the Conservation Area adjacent the River Waveney, with a listed building to the north, more modern development to the west and vernacular style buildings to the east would result in a development that would have a detrimental impact upon the character and appearance of the locality by virtue of introducing built development that is out of character with its surroundings.'
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here