A bid to convert an existing brick-built barn on Green Belt land at New House Farm, Reddish Lane in Lymm has been refused by Warrington planners.
The barn was previously in agricultural use, where the first floor was a hay loft and the ground floor was divided into smaller spaces for animal housing and workshop/agricultural storage and was last used for agricultural purposes in the 1950s/’60s.
In addition, it is stated that: “The previous owners had repaired and maintained the barn, including re-roofing a section of the building, but had not put it to any active use”.
The application proposed to convert the barn to residential use and supporting information states that: “The building is structurally sound and retains visually attractive features that the applicant proposes to retain.
The conversion would require works to the building to install windows and doors and the replacement of the roof in order to ensure the creation of a dwelling that is efficient and functions well for the intended purpose.
But Warrington Borough Council planners rejected the application stating it had not been proven that the building and land within its curtilage was part of an agricultural unit. The proposals did not therefore constitute permitted development.
