A COUNTRY barn is set to become three holiday apartments with special measures to look after swallows who nest in it.

Plans have been submitted for the conversion of Meadowcroft Farm in Bury Road, Edgworth, on the West Pennine Moors above Darwen. Bolton BL7 0BS

Mr S Bullen want to transform the building into holiday let accommodation.

They have submitted a planning application to Blackburn with Darwen Council.

A supporting statement says: "The site comprises a detached stone and slate barn on a sloping site, located off an access track to the west of Bury Road and associated with the cluster of buildings at Meadowcroft Farm Barn, located to the north east.

"It has a simple, rectangular form under a pitched roof, with three openings to its north elevation, one large opening to the west elevation and circular openings within the gable roof spaces.

"The barn is in part single storey and in part two storey.

"The application site is designated as Green Belt.

"The building was constructed and used as an agricultural building, with the applicant and his family running the farm.

"However, due to personal family circumstances the farming operations were required to cease.

"The applicant has since used the building in part for the stabling of horses to occupy the barn, and during Covid it provided somewhere a suitable location for horse owners, and brought in some

additional income.

"The stabling of horses is not a viable long term-commercial enterprise and is not intended to be a permanent use.

"The proposal seeks consent to convert the barn into three holiday accommodation apartments..

"A bat and bird survey has been carried out. There were no bats or evidence of bats found with only negligible potential for roosting bats.

"Evidence was found of two unoccupied swallow nests, and no suitable access for barn owls. There is a high potential for nesting birds to use the building.

"Mitigation is recommended to avoid disturbance during nesting season.

"It is also recommended that swallow nest cups are installed within an adjacent farm building."

"The areas around the building will include a grassed garden area.

"The site is sustainably located within close proximity to the village of Edgworth, which contains a number of including: a number of public houses, Edgworth cricket club, a village store, a pharmacy; and bus stops with regular services to local towns.

"The proposed accommodation fits comfortably within the building."