Planning & Design Practice Ltd are delighted to announce another successful barn conversion in the Staffordshire Green Belt. This will allow our client to change the use of, and re-use, an unused agricultural building to form a new home not far from Cheddleton, located in Staffordshire Moorlands.
The proposal was designed by our in-house Architecture team. The proposal was for the change of use of 2 agricultural buildings to form a dwelling and an annexe, including minor alterations in order to facilitate the use as a home.
It was important to retain the agricultural character of the building to respect the site’s rural setting. The existing cladding was proposed to be replaced with a more energy efficient cladding that blended into the landscape more effectively. Solar photovoltaic panels were also proposed, promoting more sustainable methods of energy generation and heating across both buildings.
As the site was located in the Green Belt, development is often deemed inappropriate and likely not supported. However, there are exceptions where development is not inappropriate. Planning policy allows for the re-use of buildings in the Green Belt provided that they are of permanent and substantial construction. Extensions to buildings are also permitted as long as it does not result in disproportionate additions over and above the size of the original building.
The re-use of existing buildings also means that all the embodied carbon, carbon which was released when the buildings were constructed, remains in place. As such, there are additional environmental benefits to utilising existing buildings for residential use, rather than leaving them to fall into disrepair.
A structural survey confirmed that the building was structurally sound and capable of being used a dwelling. A preliminary roost assessment was also submitted, which confirmed that there was negligible potential for bats to be roosting the building. A biodiversity enhancement plan also demonstrated how there would be a significant improvement in the ecological value of the site, benefitting local wildlife with new habitat creation.
The supporting statement discussed how the proposal met these exceptions and the development was not inappropriate in the Green Belt. With no objections from technical consultees, the Application was approved. Another good success for the team!
Planning & Design Practice Ltd is a multi-disciplinary team of Chartered Town Planners, Architects, Architectural Assistants and Heritage Specialists. Gaining planning permission is a key step in almost any development. We can take a project through from inception to completion, but we also offer the flexibility to engage a client’s own architects and provide a planning service, whilst our design team can also work with clients who have engaged other town planning professionals.
Planning & Design Practice Ltd are well versed in researching and understanding local Council’s policies to ensure the best possible case if put forward for our clients.
For a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your project or property, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on 01332 347371 or info@planningdesign.co.uk
