A “Grand Design” planned for the Burley-in-Wharfedale Green Belt has been refused planning permission by Bradford Council.

Although building on Green Belt land is against planning policy, the developer of the proposed Scalebor Park Farm home had argued that the property would be so well designed it should be classed as an “exceptional circumstance.”

An application for a striking house on land at Scalebor Park Farm, off Moor Lane was submitted to Bradford Council by John and Liz Hornby, who own the site, in March.

The application described the development as a “Grand Designs” style home that would be Carbon Positive – using measures such as solar panels to generate more energy than it requires.

It said: “It is intended to be a showcase for exceptional contemporary design in Bradford and help to raise standards of design across the District. The new house will provide an example of how new development will respond to the announcement of Bradford Council in January 2019 when the council declared a climate change emergency and committed to a green economy.”

It also described the plans as being “unapologetic” about its bold design.

The planned home would all be one storey, but have five bedrooms, a games room, spa, sauna and steam room.

The application went before members of Bradford Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee on Thursday.

Martyn Burke, Senior Planning Officer, told members the house would have an “elongated form” that would look out of place in the Green Belt. He added: “There is great importance placed on the Green Belt, that says inappropriate development should not be approved unless there are special circumstances. We feel this application greatly underplays the impact on Green Belt land.

“A single dwelling will make a negligible contribution to the housing supply, and the consequence to the Green belt is substantial.”

He said the applicants had cited the “exceptional quality” of the building’s design as being special circumstances that overcome harm to the Green Belt.

But he told members the design was not appropriate for the Burley countryside, and the material that would be used – magnesium limestone like the material used for Yorks Minster, “seems to reflect a lack of understanding of the landscape context.”

Despite concerns from officers, six letters of support for the plans had been sent to the Council.

Duncan Hartley, representing the applicants, said the development would inspire future generations of developers. He said: “The Yorkshire Design Review have described this as a truly exciting proposal.

“It is a one off Grand Design of exceptional quality. We hope it will become a listed building that future generations will value, like Denton Hall.”

Councillor Russell Brown (Con, Craven) said: “It was a great presentation, but I’m a little unhappy with the appearance.”

Chair of the Committee Councillor David Warburton (Lab, Wyke) said: “I don’t see any special circumstances.

“It is nice to see innovation, and a different design, but this is in the wrong place to provide that.”