An appeal made by a benefit cheat to have a new motel built on Green Belt land has been dismissed.

Edward Putman, who was jailed for nine months for claiming nearly £13,000 in benefits after winning £5 million on the lottery in 2009, submitted plans to build a 30-bedroom motel in Station Road, Kings Langley in May 2014.

But after the plans were refused by Three Rivers District Council he made an appeal in April this year.

Last week, on Wednesday, July 29, Planning Inspectorate Christine Thorby decided to dismiss the appeal.

She gave a number of reasons why the plans should not go ahead, including the affect it would have on the Green Belt and housing.

She wrote: “Even though the site is filled with parked cars, a small commercial building, a house and garden, as the parking area is mostly grass, much of the site appears open and semi-rural.

“The indicative drawings give a realistic indication of the size of the motel and it is clear that the proposed building would be significantly larger than the existing structures covering much of the site most likely with a large two to three storey building.

“It would inevitably have a much greater impact on openness of the site allowing the built form of Kings Langley to encroach further into the countryside.

“Therefore, in accordance with paragraph 89 of the National Planning Policy Framework, the proposal would be inappropriate development which is harmful to the green belt.”

It was also noted an existing house would be lost as a result of the development and that little evidence exists for the need of a motel.