British number one tennis star Johanna Konta has had a self-build planning application refused under conditions set out in the new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

Konta put in an application for a four-bedroom timber-framed house to replace an existing bungalow she owns on a 8,830 m2 site in ancient woodland in East Sussex.

Ancient woodland is given the highest level of protection under the new NPPF, which states that councils must refuse developments that aren’t “wholly exceptional” if they will be causing the loss of “irreplaceable habitats”.

Konta has now submitted a second application for a slightly lower building and argues in her design and access statement that her proposed replacement design is not only “sympathetic” but also “highly efficient.”

The NPPF only allows isolated country homes if the design is deemed to be of “exceptional quality”.