PLANNING permission to turn a barn in a Cheshire village into a dwelling will be needed, planning offers have said.

An application to ascertain whether planning permission to convert the barn, in The Hall Lane near Tarporley, was required was submitted to Cheshire West and Chester (CWAC) Council in October.

The application, submitted on behalf of Emma Hodgson, was to turn the timber-framed barn into a house and was a resubmitted proposal which had previously been refused.

However, agents Olivia Starkey Planning and Development said they disagreed with the report into its refusal – over structural grounds – and have resubmitted plans.

A design and access statement submitted said: “The building is a former agricultural storage building located 400 meters from the applicant’s parents working dairy farm, Oxheyes Farm.

“The proposal will see the conversion of this detached timber framed structure to provide a proposed floor area that extends to 110 sq m and is a single-storey detached two-bedroom unit.

“The proposal is to convert an existing agricultural building into a residential property to provide a dwelling complete with kitchen and living area, and two bedrooms (both) ensuite.

“The proposal has been designed to preserve and compliment the appearance and character of the unit, notwithstanding enhancing the sustainability and energy efficiency through using natural and reclaimed materials to provide attractive family accommodation.

OTHER NEWS:

“The height and roof structure will be unaltered. No extensions to the building are proposed.”

The application has provided its own report of how the building can withstand the alterations required to convert the building, which says that with some ‘remedial repairs’, the building can be successfully changed.

However, on Tuesday, November 26 a report from Helen Jameson, planning officer at CWAC, confirmed a formal planning application will have to be submitted.

This, she said, is because – in the council’s view – the plans still don’t meet the standard required.

In her report, she said: “The application site comprises a modest, timber framed barn located within open countryside to the south of Rushton.

“A dwelling known as Oxheys Cottage is located to the north east of the site and the building is currently used for agricultural storage.”

She added: “The Local Planning Authority may refuse an application where the proposed development does not comply with any conditions, limitations or restrictions specified in this part as being applicable to the development in question.

“Planning permission is therefore required.”