THE new owners of a listed building which contains historic ‘cruck frames’ are seeking planning permission to make major alterations.

Mrs and Mrs MK Frankish are seeking planning permission to change the 18th century former moorland farmhouse, Thornbers, on the northern outskirts of Waddington in the Ribble Valley.

At the heart of the building on Slaidburn Road is a cruck-framed ‘longhouse’ of 16th or early 17th century date.

The application to Ribble Valley Borough Council seeks to make major alterations to a modernised former cart shed, pig sty, garden room and garage.

It proposes to replace a 1970s flat roof link with glass; convert the detached garage into guest accommodation and playroom; re-roof that part of the property; and replace a set of 1970s windows (including to the former pig sty); install a new floor and raise the ceiling in the master bedroom.

A heritage assessment by the Garry Miller Historic Building Consultancy says the original part of the building is of national significance.

It adds: “The significance lies primarily in the main range, which contains the cruck structure and is of the highest significance. The proposals are intended to adapt the building to modern living while at the same time preserving the elements and features from which its significance derives.”