A developer has lost an appeal to try and build four partially underground homes in the South Cambridgeshire countryside.

Plans had been put forward by Ashwell Road Property Limited to build the four 'earth sheltered' homes in a field off Ashwell Road, near Steeple Morden, and also turning most of the field into a 're-wilding' area.

The developer said covering the homes in earth would help avoid overheating in the summer, and would help the homes to retain heat in the winter.

In planning documents submitted to South Cambridgeshire District Council, the developer said: "We are proposing unique, truly outstanding and innovative earth sheltered dwellings.

"We also contend that the design takes due and proper account of the defining characteristics of the local area, including local or regional building traditions and materials.

"The positioning of the buildings within the confines of the site has also been subject to careful deliberation in order to minimise the visual impact and effects of 'massing' upon the surrounding landscape.

"The buildings are mostly ‘earth sheltered’ and as a result have a negligible effect on the landscape setting."

The application was refused after planning officers concluded the design of the homes was not "outstanding" enough to warrant building in the open countryside.

Officers said: "The design of the proposed dwellings is not considered to be truly outstanding, and it would not reflect the highest standards in architecture.

"It is also considered that the proposals would not help to raise standards of design more generally in rural areas and they would not significantly enhance its immediate setting."

Officers added that the existing field "contributes positively to the rural setting" of the village.

They said: "The development will erode the rural transition as you approach and enter the village of Steeple Morden from Ashwell Road harming the gentle transition that currently exists.

"This creates a character feel of urban sprawl and erosion of the otherwise small settlement of Steeple Morden into the countryside."

The developer appealed to the planning inspectorate to try and overturn the council’s decision.

However, the planning inspector who examined the proposals agreed that the development should not go ahead.

In a report the inspector said: "This arrangement has the potential to create an intriguing feature in the landscape and relatively secluded international living spaces.

"Nevertheless, whilst not typical of many new homes, earth sheltered homes are not necessarily a recent or innovative approach in themselves.

“Just being distinctive or different from its surroundings is an insufficient attribute to make a design truly outstanding or innovative.

However the inspector conceded that there were some positives, saying: "There is the potential that the treatment of the upper part of the site would enhance biodiversity and that could be enjoyed by those using the public footpath through the site.

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"There would be short term contributions to the local economy through the building of the scheme and longer term ones through the provision of four new homes and the attendant social and economic benefits that they would deliver.

“However, such benefits would only be modest.

“The harm as a result of conflict with the Local Plan and to the character and appearance of the area would be considerable, and the loss of and and failure to confirm the avoidance of harm to protected species would outweigh any benefits.”

The planning inspector dismissed the appeal and upheld the district council’s refusal of the application.