A couple who had plans to turn a former barn into a house they could retire in rejected by the council have re-submitted proposals.

Mr and Mrs David Smalley are still looking to convert Big Holme Barn in Bolton-by-Bowland into a four-bedroom house on the site of land they already own.

Plans were rejected by Ribble Valley Borough Council in September as the local authority felt it went beyond what was “reasonably necessary” to convert it into a home, and that due to its scale it would look out of character in its rural environment.

The council also said no public benefits were identified from the proposed development which would outweigh the harm that would occur to the barn.

Lancashire Telegraph: Plans for the ground floor of the housePlans for the ground floor of the house (Image: Ribble Valley Borough Council)

A design and access statement re-submitted to the council said: “We feel the extensive works and extension to Big Holme Farm is typical of the nearby rural properties and provides precedents for large rural family homes with substantial gardens and curtilage.

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“A key consideration when developing the design proposals was that it is essential to maintain and enhance the character of the original barn and features while extending with a sympathetic single storey structure to replace the existing 1950s agricultural extension and maintaining similar building form.”

A previous decision notice from the council said: “The proposed extension to the barn and detached garage, by virtue of their scale, bulk, massing, and fenestration would result in the introduction of an unsympathetic form of development that would fail to respond positively to the historic character of the bar, being of detriment to the character and visual amenities of the surrounding AONB landscape.”

Lancashire Telegraph: The barn could fall into disrepair if nothing is done with it soonThe barn could fall into disrepair if nothing is done with it soon (Image: Ribble Valley Borough Council)

Should the plans be approved this time around, the ground floor will have an open plan family room consisting of a kitchen, dining, and lounge area, a formal living/dining room, a utility room, a boot room, and a guest bedroom with ensuite.

Upstairs, there will be a master bedroom with ensuite, two double bedrooms, and a family bathroom.

Anyone wishing to comment on this application can do so via the council’s website.