A kitchen, bathroom and bedroom display showroom could be opening in Greinton after plans were granted approval.

A planning application for the change of use of part of an existing storage building to a display showroom at Coates Farm, Taunton Road, Greinton, had been submitted to Sedgemoor District Council by Mr and Mrs Cook.

The application site is located in Greinton and comprises a building located immediately to the south of the village church. It is located on a wider complex of barn conversions.

The building itself is a linear single-storey structure with mono pitch roof and is constructed of rendered walls with metal cladding under a metal sheet roof. There are steel roller shutter doors on the north elevation.

The building is currently used for storage, and to the south of the building is an existing menage.

Access to the site is via a long track which spurs of the A361 to the south west of the site. This track has a public right of way running along part of its length.

Permission was sought for change of use of part of the building to provide for a kitchen/bathroom/bedroom display showroom.

Openings will be formed in the southern elevation to provide for new powder-coated aluminium floor to ceiling windows. Three of the existing openings in the north elevation will be infilled.

New timber cladding will be used to re-clad the building, and a standing seam roof will be added with solar PV panels.

The menage will be relocated further south and an area for parking and turning for visitors will be formed immediately to the south of the building. Access will continue to be via the current arrangement.

In approving the plans, the officer's report said: "The council would wish to control the use of the building to preclude other uses within class E that would not be acceptable in this location - that would also include food retail.

"As such, while the use as a small showroom is not considered unacceptable, a condition would need to be imposed on the permission limiting other uses. Subject to the imposition of this condition the principle of development is considered acceptable.

"The building to be subject to the change of use is a utilitarian unit of no special architectural merit.

"It was built historically without the benefit of planning permission and is of poor design. It is also immediately to the south of the Grade I church, and can be readily viewed from the adjoining graveyard, and is therefore harmful to the setting of the church.

"The changes proposed would look to improve the visual aesthetic of the building. The building would be reclad with timber which will allow the removal of the unappealing and tired existing walling material, and its replacement with a more sympathetic treatment.

"It is proposed to add a condition to require the works to replace the materials shall be complete prior to first use to ensure the visual benefits of the scheme are realised.

"Given the proximity to the church, Historic England were consulted. They have only advised that the views of the local conservation officer be sought.

"Discussions have taken place with the conservation officer who has confirmed that they are satisfied with the treatment of the building on both the north and south elevations.

"They consider that the changes will be beneficial in terms of the impact of the setting of the listed building.

"The above mentioned condition is considered appropriate to deliver the benefits in the context of the setting of the church. As such the proposal is considered acceptable on design and heritage grounds."