CONSENT has been granted to a Turton farmer for his scheme to convert a redundant barn into a house.

As part of the permission he must build a bat loft and a barn owl nesting site.

Nigel Thornley of Higher Pastures Farm in Broadhead Road had applied for planning permission to turn the vacant agricultural building into building a residential property.

His property comprises of the original extended farm house and the previously converted adjoining barn together with a second two-storey detached barn.

Earlier this year Mr Thornley proposed that his empty barn be renovated and converted into a single dwelling house as previously approved in August 2008.

Specialist surveys identified both bats and barn owls, which are legally protected, roosting in the barn.

Included in the planning permission are special conditions to ensure the continued presence of the species.

Mr Thornley has been instructed to provide a bat loft and also first a temporary barn owl nesting site and then a permanent one as part of the renavation.

Details must be submitted to the council before any work starts.