Our latest planning permissions from March 2021:

Barn Conversion in Wiltshire

We have recently gained full planning permission to convert two barns into a house and store – after over a year of negotiations with the Council.

The traditional barn would become a house, and the larger agricultural store would become a bespoke garage.

We had to overcome a number of issues during the course of this application, including:

1. Heritage – the Councils heritage team thought the site was curtilage listed, due to a nearby Grade II* listed farmhouse. They also requested that the larger barn to be demolished if planning permission were to be granted for the residential use of the traditional barn;
2. Residential use of the buildings – the Council needed proof that the buildings couldn’t be used for economic, community or tourism uses;
3. Ecology – phase 2 bat surveys were needed to check for any protected species on site;
4. Phosphates – the site is located within the catchment of the River Avon Special Area of Conservation. Increased phosphate levels meant that the application was put on hold until the Council agreed a solution with Natural England; and
5. Enforcement – the Council believed that the larger barn was being used for a business.

Following lengthy discussions with the Council, Fowlers managed to resolve all of the above issues. Planning permission was granted and we are pleased to get the result our clients wanted.

Converted Chapel in Hampshire

A chapel in Hampshire was granted permission to be converted into a home recently. The application faced strong objections from the local area at the time. Fowlers were then asked to apply for a Minor Material Amendment to install roof lights and a new extension to the chapel. We needed to approach the design carefully to make sure the plans didn’t badly affect the character of the old chapel.

The new roof lights mean our clients can add a first floor to the new home. This application also means our clients can sensitively replace the decaying doors and windows.

Converted Coach House in Hampshire

Following a recent permission for a link between a listed house and outbuilding, we have now secured approval to convert the outbuilding into living space. The work also included applying for listed building consent; the house is grade II listed, and the outbuilding is curtilage listed.

The outbuilding used to be a coach house, and will now become part of the house. We justified this change by analysing the planning history of the house, as well as the historic significance of the building.

The next step for our clients is to apply for a swimming pool and garage, which will require an equally sensitive approach.