Green Belt farm to be demolished

A CENTURY-old farmhouse in the Green Belt can be demolished and replaced by a modern building twice its size, Warrington planners have decided.
The borough council’s development control committee has approved the demolition of Dingle Farm, in Dingle Lane, Appleton to make way for a two-storey house.
Adjoining commercial buildings would also be demolished and an existing barn converted for guest accommodation, the committee was told.
Appleton Parish Council had opposed the scheme because of the disproportionate size of the replacement dwelling and its modern style, given its proximity to The Dingle – an area of outstanding beauty.
Planning officers acknowledged that a replacement dwelling double the size of the existing one would normally be considered inappropriate in the Green Belt.
But in this case, Dingle Farm, although dating from the 19th century, had little merit because of alterations carried out in the past.
Overall, there would be a 75 per cent reduction in the area occupied by buildings, increasing openness and enhancing the character of the Green Belt.
Demolition of other buildings – once agricultural but now in commercial use – would result in an inappropriate industrial use being removed.