Byley homes approved as Government inspectors overturn council

Cheshire West and Chester Council rejected plans to convert a steel-framed barn on Drakelow Gorse Farm, in Byley, into two homes earlier this year.

It claimed that the building is not attractive enough to be retained for housing, insisted that the site is too remote from amenities and suggested the scheme could pave the way for similar ‘uncontrolled development’ in CWAC’s countryside.

But developer Thomas England Ltd refuted CWAC’s claims – and won its battle at appeal after inspectors claimed the new residents could walk or cycle to the nearest facilities 1.5km away, or 2.8km to Middlewich.

In rejecting the planning application, CWAC officers said: “With no existing building character worthy of retention the reuse of the steel portal framed building would not result in any enhancement of the setting, and would prolong the life of a building which has a negative visual impact.

“The site is isolated in relation to day to day services and facilities, and as such most trips to shops, schools, places of employment, health, leisure and other services from these new dwellings would be heavily reliant on the private car.

“[This] has the potential to lead to a harmful increase in the amount of unsustainable journeys made and uncontrolled development on the edge of or outside of settlements that would have an impact on the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside.”

The barn is currently unused, but was previously used as an indoor ménage for equestrian.

Appealing CWAC’s decision, Thomas England claimed that the site was not remote because there are seven existing homes adjacent to the barn.

It also told the Planning Inspectorate that the barn is previously developed, and therefore the proposal ‘would be a sustainable form of development that accords with national and local planning policy’.

CWAC had insisted the scheme went against its local plan because of its remote location, but the Planning Inspectorate ruled in favour of the developer.

It highlighted that the farm is 1.5km from the nearest primary school, village hall, church and farm shop – while it is 2.8km away from the nearest town of Middlewich.

But it ruled that these distances are close enough to walk or cycle – and therefore accepted the plans.

In its decision, the Planning Inspectorate said: “The appeal site is in a rural location with limited access to services, facilities, and public transport.

“[But] the site has relatively good accessibility to services and facilities, and the proposal would not necessarily result in an excessive increase in the number of traffic movements.

“The proposal would involve the redevelopment of a previously developed site that would result in limited economic and social benefits, including the potential to support and maintain the vibrancy of nearby shops and services.”

Meanwhile, the Planning Inspectorate disagreed with CWAC over the look of the barn, which it claimed would ‘suitably complement’ its surroundings.