Plans to convert County Durham barn near A67 into house

The proposal, put forward by Magnum Properties, aims to transform a disused barn south of the A67 in Winston into a three-bedroom residential dwelling.

It will undergo various changes, including modifications to the existing driveway access from the A67.

The site will be resurfaced to create a new vehicle track and private parking facilities.

It has previously been approved for conversion twice, once in January 2018 and again in August 2021.

The project will utilise materials that match the current structure, with random rubble stone for the walls, natural red clay pantiles for the roof, and timber double-glazed windows.

Doors will be made of engineered hardwood with toughened glazing.

A new vehicular access point is planned by widening an existing field entrance, and the development will provide three new parking spaces.

However, protected species have been identified on the site.

The development is classified as self-build and custom-built, exempting it from biodiversity net gain requirements.

A septic tank will handle foul sewage disposal.

The applicant, who owns the land, has declared that it is not part of an agricultural holding.

The declaration date for the application was January 27.

Proposed works aim to retain the barn's architectural features, such as arched openings, informal fenestration, and open ceilings.

The plan includes blocking a north-facing window to protect neighbour privacy and adding an arched window to the east elevation for more natural light.

The driveway access will be widened to improve entry from the A67.

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The site, located within an Area of Higher Landscape Value, will undergo minimal intervention to maintain the rural character of the barn.

A landscaping plan includes new hedgerows and post-and-wire fencing.

The planning application asserts that the proposal aligns with certain policies of the County Durham Plan and the National Planning Policy Framework, which supports the reuse of existing rural buildings.