Plans for a new two-bedroom house in a South Hams village have been thrown out after councillors said it was a ‘ghastly, horrendous, carbuncle that sticks out like a sore thumb’.

South Hams District Council’s Development Management Committee on Wednesday afternoon were recommended to approve plans for an existing chalet in Beesands to be demolished and replaced with a two-bedroom house with an observatory on the roof.

The new building would have sat in the grounds of the Crab Pot and the Lobster Pot, two recently renovated five star properties situated right on the sea front.

But the proposed design of the house, which would be a modern contemporary design, quite different to any of the existing homes in the area, outraged councillors who said it was out of keeping with the surroundings.

Cllr Julian Brazil said: “This looks suburban and urbanised, would be detrimental to the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the street scene and it sticks out like a sore thumb.”

Cllr Daniel Brown said he has no problem with the size of the home, but added: “I am not against modern design but I think it looks ghastly,” while Cllr Rosemary Rowe agreed, saying: “This is definitely a carbuncle on the landscape and it is absolutely horrendous. I cannot support this.”

The proposed new house would have been larger than the existing and unused chalet, leading to an increased visual impact on the area as a result of the development, with Cllr Tom Holway saying: “I thought it was too big. The two semis are big enough on their own without something big next to it.”

Cllr Richard Foss also raised concern about the flood risk proposed by the plans, as primarily sits in the coastal plain. He said: “I would be very nervous if this committee gave permission for a house in this position. It is astonishing as to how much of the green has gone in the last 12 months and I am worried about the houses that are actually there at the moment and how long they will last.”

Cllr Brazil added: “It may be buyer beware, but I doubt you will find a local person buying the house as the long term prognosis on the housing isn’t very good. This is unsustainable development as these million pound homes are built as second homes and do nothing for the villages.”

Officers had recommended the plans we approved, but councillors voted by 10 votes to two to reject the plans on the grounds of design, it is in an unsustainable location, and concerns over the increased flood risk to the area.

By Daniel Clark, BBC Local Democracy Reporting Service