A LOG cabin development should not be approved, according planning officers.

Steve Jones had hoped to build three log cabins to launch a new business on land at Winston Farm in Tetchill, near Ellesmere.

But they have been recommended for refusal ahead of next Tuesday's North Shropshire Planning Committee.

Case officer Mark Perry said although there would be some economic benefit it would not outweigh the detrimental impact on the landscape and heritage assets.

The proposed cabins would be two-bedroom and would include two parking spaces each.

The scheme received the backing of the parish council, but objections came from the Canal and River Trust, while Shropshire Council's conservation officer voiced concerns regarding the impact on a nearby Grade Two listed canal bridge.

The recommendation comes after a similar scheme on a slightly different site was refused in October 2017 because of its position in open countryside and the lack of a heritage assessment report.

Mr Perry said: "The proposal is not the expansion of an existing tourism

enterprise neither is it high quality accommodation in a location that is served by a range of services and facilities.

"The proposal is in a prominent position on raised ground to which development as proposed on site will have a significant impact on the surrounding landscape as well as visually in relation to the canal and users of

this waterway which in itself acts as significant draw to local tourism."

While the scheme will provide some economic benefit by increasing the tourism offering that the area has, it is considered that this would be substantially outweighed by the visual and landscape impact harm as well as the impact on the setting of the heritage assets."

The meeting will also see councillors look at retrospective changes to the installation of additional infrastructure for an anaerobic digester at Broughall Fields Farm in Whitchurch.

The changes have received objections from the town council and residents, but have been recommended for approval.

Other applications include the resubmission of an extension to caravan and camping site at Corner Farm in Welshampton, which is recommended for approval subject to conditions; and an extension to continue using the former Ifton Heath Primary School in St Martins as a site for a traveller family for a further 12 months, which is also recommended for approval.