THE conversion of a barn to a dwelling near Camelford has been refused by Cornwall Council’s planning department.

Mr Ethan Cowdery applied to the local authority for permission to convert a barn into a dwelling at Drovers Cottage, Treworra Barton, Davidstow.

In the submitted documents in support of the application, his planning agent told Cornwall Council that the conversion would be used as a holiday let if it had been approved and would benefit from a proportionate and suitable garden amenity space to serve it.

They added: “Treworra Barton is a historic farmstead located approximately half a mile to the south of Davidstow in North Cornwall. The farmstead comprises of a range of buildings, including the listed main farmhouse, barns and cart-shed. The site has a ‘Barton’ farm style layout, and the barn the subject of this application is part of a 19th Century farmyard.

“The building is part of a group of stone built barns which form to create an enclosed courtyard. The building to be converted is a single storey barn, constructed with stone walls and a slate gable pitched roof. The building to be converted forms an L shape and is located to the far east of the farmyard complex. To the east and north of the building is grass and tree scape area which would form an amenity garden space to serve the dwelling.

“The design is sympathetic to the existing building and reflects what would be expected for a barn conversion. The existing openings are being utilised where possible, and the main fabric of the building will be used as part of the conversion.”

Refusing the dwelling, Cornwall Council told the applicant: “The proposed conversion of the barn to a dwelling, by virtue of the design, including the introduction of an uncharacteristically large expanse of glazing on the South-East elevation, would lead to an undesirable domestic aesthetic that fails to preserve and detracts from the intrinsic character and appearance of the historic barn. As such the proposal fails to enhance the immediate setting of the building.”

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