Plans to convert barn into home in Catsham are refused

Plans to convert a barn on a farm in Catsham into a home have been turned down by Mendip District Council.

A planning application for prior approval for a proposed change of use of an agricultural building to a dwellinghouse (Class C3) and for associated operational development at Brook Farm, Southwood Lane, Catsham, had been submitted by Mr and Mrs D Guppy.

The site has recently been purchased by the applicants who are the new owners of the land. However, they say they have no use for the barn, which will become redundant and therefore they considered it would be suitable for conversion into a dwelling.

The proposed prior approval application aimed to convert the existing agricultural building into a single-storey, one-bedroom dwelling.

The proposal also made an allowance for associated car parking and turning, with provisions also made for bicycle and domestic waste storage.

The existing floor and roof structure of the building were all proposed to be retained, including the external walls, to be re-clad in hit and miss vertically laid timber boarding with zinc standing seam roof sheets.

New insulated walls and roof were to be built from a lightweight timber frame contained within the existing structure.

The landscaping of the site was going to take a simple form of domestic garden enclosure with a post and rail fence, and the planting of native groundcover plants and mixed species hedgerow bordering the site.

The established landscaping around the perimeter of the development was to be retained to shield the proposal.

The garden was going to be grassed with an element of hard landscaping to provide a patio and pathway.

However, in refusing the application the planning notice said: "The proposed change of use would involve building works of a magnitude that is considered to go beyond what can reasonably be described as a conversion."

A second application at the site for a change of use to convert a different barn into a home has also been rejected by Mendip planners.

One planning application in the Street area has been submitted this week:

Works to trees in a Conservation Area, conifer hedge (left hand side of property along footpath): reduce in height by 4ft, trim all sides; bay at front gates (right hand side), reduce in height by 3ft; Macrocarpa hedge to rear of property: reduce in height up to 8ft and cut back inside face by approximately/maximum 2ft; reduce single conifer at end of garden to same level as Macrocarpa hedge at Old Glade Cottage, Water Lane, Butleigh, have been applied for by Andrew Morland.

Planning applications in the Street area that have been decided this week include:

Erection of single-storey rear extension, two front extensions to garage and main house, and first-floor dormer window to front elevation at 4 Wilton Orchard, Street, by Mrs J Maidment has been approved.

Application for approval of details reserved by condition 3 (Surface Water Soakaway Systems) on planning consent 2020/2661/FUL at West Park Farm, Sharpham Lane, Walton, has been approved.

Single-storey orangery side extension, covered verandah and utility side extension, formal courtyard, conversion of existing outbuilding to form garaging and ancillary residential accommodation at Rood Farm, Kingweston Road, Butleigh, by Mr and Mrs G McConnell has been approved.

Erection of single-storey extension to front - north elevation at 1 Rood Cottages, Kingweston Road, Butleigh, by M Stevens has been approved.

Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 3 (Arboricultural Method Statement), 4 (Schedule of Works), 5 (Pointing Sample), 6 (Paving Sample) on planning consent 2020/0834/FUL at the War Memorial, Merriman Road, Street, by Mr Mark Sandiford has been approved.

Conversion of part of existing barn to form an additional bedroom, erection of a single-storey rear extension and alterations to existing front elevation at 26 Taunton Road, Pedwell, by Mr and Mrs McNamara has been approved.