Barn-into-homes plan thrown out

PLANNING bosses at Warrington have thrown out a farmer’s application for permission to convert a barn into two three-bedroom homes.
Members of the borough council’s planning committee heard there had been 26 planning applications since 1983 at Birch Tree Farm, in Red Lane, Appleton.
In 2010 farmer John Bryan was granted permission to use the building as a “granny flat” on condition it remained ancillary to the existing farm house – but never carried out the scheme.
Planning officers now believed a changed approach to housing land supply made such a condition unnecessary and recommended the scheme be approved.
But, after visiting the site, councillors voted it down.
Appleton Parish Council had lodged strong objections to the plan.
They believed approval could set a precedent for other agricultural buildings in the area.
They argued that the development would be contrary to adopted policy and harmful to the Green Belt.
A nearby resident also objected and questioned whether two residential properties would have been allowed at the time permission was given for the barn in 1984.
Planning officers argued that the conversion should be allowed because the buildings were no longer needed for agricultural purposes and would not be suitable for other business uses.