A couple have submitted plans to change the use of a detached garage on their farm into a separate home.

The Gaunt family submitted the plans to Blackburn with Darwen Council for the development at Bentley Manor Farm, near Edgworth, between Blackburn and Bolton.

The host dwelling is a two-storey semi-detached stone-built home, with the garage located around 30m away.

A planning statement submitted to the council said: “The proposed development is for the change of use of the detached garage to form a dwelling. The proposal includes an extension to the garage to form a part first floor for the new dwelling.

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“The proposal includes an extension to increase the ridge height from 4.3m to 5.8m. This will provide a part first floor accommodation comprising two bedrooms and a bathroom. The proposal would provide a slightly steeper pitched roof compared to the existing roof.

“The site is situated in an isolated location with few buildings in the vicinity of the site, and the character of the area being of an upland nature.

“The proposal would result in the re-use of a redundant building and its conversion would enhance the immediate setting. The appearance of the building would be improved as a result of the proposal and the curtilage around the existing building would be enhanced with landscaping.”

The site has been subject to a previous application for the construction of a new dwelling and the demolition of an agricultural building, but this was dismissed on the grounds of the impact on the open countryside.

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The statement says the increase in the height of the garage to accommodate the first floor would have a “very limited impact” on the open countryside compared to a new dwelling, therefore overcoming “the concerns raised by the appeal.”

The proposal is for a residential conversion and would be unsuitable for a commercial use due to its close proximity to other residential properties. It is also not considered to be of a viable size for commercial use.

Anyone wishing to read the plans in full can do so by visiting the council’s planning website.