A PLANNING inspector has refused to allow two barns to be converted into houses on Green Belt land at Warrington – despite the fact that they already resemble houses.
Permission for the barns was granted in 2005 but neighbours and the borough council do not believe they were ever used for agricultural purposes.
The inspector, Ian McHugh, has dismissed an appeal by farmer John Bryan against the refusal by Warrington Borough Council to grant permission for the barns, on land at Park Lane and Firs Lane, Appleton, to be converted into two detached dwellings.
He says the proposal would be an inappropriate development in the Green Belt because the buildings would, if converted for residential use, have a greater impact on the openness of the Green Belt than the existing barns.
Mr McHugh says the buildings have a domestic appearance in terms of their overall design and detailing. In his opinion they are not ideally designed or suited for agricultural purposes.
“However, the proposed residential plots are relatively large parcels of land, and the use would unacceptably intensify the domestic appearance of the site.
“Overall, I consider the proposal would be at odds with its countryside setting
“In addition, the creation and enclosure of domestic curtilages any associated works and paraphernalia, including domestic landscaping, garden structures, washing line and play equipment, etc, would represent a visual and physical encroachment of residential development into the countryside.
“For these reasons, I consider the proposal would be unacceptably harmful to the character and appearance of the area.”
Mr Bryan says the buildings have been used barns but are no longer needed for agricultural purposes. They are not currently in use at all.
After visiting the site, the inspector said: “In my opinion the buildings have a domestic character and appearance, in terms of their overall form, materials, design and number of openings.”
There is a long history of planning disputes between Mr Bryan and the local planning authority – including allegations that he was seeking permission for agricultural buildings with a view to converting them into dwellings at a later stage.
A PLANNING inspector has refused to allow two barns to be converted into
houses on Green Belt land at Warrington – despite the fact that they
already resemble houses.
Barns must stay barns – even if they look like houses, says planning inspector
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
