Durham farming barn to be turned into large family home

The agricultural building is to be changed into a large home in open countryside near Moor House Farm and High Grange Farm in Shincliffe, Durham.

The plan was considered at a Durham County Council planning committee meeting on Tuesday (June 14).

Three letters of objection raised concerns including traffic, road safety, dangerous entry from the A177, scale, noise and light pollution, impact on the green belt and countryside, and refuse collection.

Landscape officers raised concerns about the isolated position of the building and its visual impact, but planners recommended approval, saying residents' concerns were not enough to justify refusal.

Read more: Plans for 27 homes passed for Spennymoor as part of wider proposals

Richard Ormerod, clerk of Shincliffe Parish Council, said: "It's a green belt development.

"The proposed development is within the south-east of Durham's green belt, sitting in an area of high landscape value where it will be highly visible from the main road, the A177.

"There are no very special circumstances and this parish council would view this, whilst it's a relatively small development, as being the thin end of the wedge which would lead to more and more harmful development to Shincliffe's green belt, which has been under quite serious threat in recent times."

Richard Ormerod. Picture: Northern Echo

Another objector Andrew Moss said the plan went beyond a conversion and was "starting afresh".

Robin Wood, representing the applicant, said the council's structural engineer deemed the building capable of conversion and wider landscape impacts were not included in the legislation.

He said landscape officers felt the new home would keep the simplicity of the building and "reflect and uphold its agricultural character".

Read more: Spennymoor primary school passed - but concerns raised over vehicles

Principal planning officer Paul Hopper said green belt requirements did not apply as this plan was covered by "permitted development".

This means it does not need full planning permission, just approval with specific aspects like transport, noise, contamination, design, flood risk and natural light.

This was disputed by Councillor Jonathan Elmer, who said the plan could involve "significant structural change", possibly including a new roof.

Cllr Jonathan Elmer. Picture: Paul Norris.

He said: "There just seems to be a lot of unknown quantities here... relevant to whether or not this proposal can be treated in the way that it is."

Cllr Kevin Shaw said: "I understand the concerns being raised, but... I'm happy to support the officer's recommendation and move that we accept the application."

Councillors voted 9-4 to approve the plan.

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