A BARN on Rowan Park Farm, Ashwater can be converted into five homes.  

Two neighbours had objected. Robert Parrott claimed the barn, made of wood board and sheet asbestos, was not fit for residential dwellings.  Whilst Janet Chapman was concerned the barn’s water and electricity was still connected to her house.  She added: ‘We have a holiday let which is next to the barn. Clients choose our accommodation for its tranquillity and we are extremely concerned the building work will effect our bookings and would look for compensation for potential loss of income due to noise and disruption.’ 

The Environmental Protection Officer also had concerns saying: ‘The application site is located to the south of a large poultry unit that has the potential to adversely impact neighbouring residential amenity, predominantly from odour. However, having regard for the separation distance and presence of existing dwellings downwind of the poultry unit with no records of complaint, any potential impact is significantly allayed. 

‘Due to the proximity of existing neighbouring dwellings, there is the potential for detriment to residential amenity from the construction works associated with the proposed development if control measures are not in place. There appears to be no detailed information provided on the historic use and subsequent land quality of the application site. 

‘Agricultural use and activity can result in ground contamination and ground conditions that are potentially harmful to human health or unsuitable for occupation without remediation. 

‘Given the sensitive end use, it is essential that measures are in place to appropriately assess the application site for any potential contamination that may impact future occupants and, where identified, remediated accordingly.’ 

Torridge District Council’s conditions included a restriction in the times construction works can be carried out to protect the amenities of neighbouring properties. 

OUTLINE planning has been applied for a house to be built in open countryside on the outskirts of Holsworthy. The site adjoins Hill View and is on land adjacent to Chasty Prior and is accessed off the head of Chasty Lane. The applicants say the site should be considered as ‘rounding off’ and the house would have no impact on the character of the area. 

PLANNING has been applied for to convert a modern metal and timber clad barn into a five-bedroom home with three parking spaces at Galmington Farm, Shebbear. The building is currently used as a small workshop and for storing machinery and other items. 

A HOUSE and detached garage can be built on former grazing land adjacent to ‘Myhouse’ in Bradworthy.  

The application had been subject to an appeal but planners said the appeal inspector’s comments had been addressed with the scale and height of the proposed house and garage now significantly reduced. The house has now been designed to have the appearance of two modest two storey houses. 

ν THE GO-AHEAD has been given for a farm dwelling at Youldon Farm, Pancrasweek. Planners acknowledged the need for a farm dwelling had been established.

It will be built adjacent to a range of farm buildings. The farm has 120 acres of land with up to 36,000 free range broilers, 550 sheep and 60 cattle on site at any time. The approval had the condition that the home can only be occupied by a person solely or mainly working, or last working, in the locality in agriculture or forestry. 

TWELVE ground mounted solar panels can be put on a concrete pad at Coombeshead Barn, Virginstow, Beaworthy.

NEW life is set to be given to a historic building in Bodmin town centre which has been vacant for many years. 

Planning consent has been obtained to convert the former Barley Sheaf pub on Lower Bore Street into eight flats – two one-bed, four two-bed and two three-bed units. 

It will involve the demolition of the single storey extension to the rear of 4, Lower Bore Street, the removal of the steel fire escape at the rear of 2, Lower Bore Street, which will be replaced by a window, and the removal of inappropriate extensions.  

It is thought the building may stand on the site of an earlier inn called The White Hart mentioned in a document dated 1787.  The Grade II listed building is believed to have been one of two newly built pubs which opened in the town in the 1830s. By 1890 it was said to have had stabling for 40 horses. But it ceased trading in early 2011 and has been on the market since then. 

ν PRE-APPLICATION advice has been sought to change the use of a garage into a home, live-work unit or holiday let on land northeast of 12 Dennison Road, Bodmin. 

ν LISTED BUILDING consent has been applied for works to the north elevation of Maker Barracks at Maker Heights, Millbrook. 

The work includes re-roofing, re-pointing, installation of a lightning protection system and repainting the external render. 

ν A SMALL residential development could be built on land at Shute Lane, Pensilva. Pre-application advice has been sought for plans to put eight building plots there – five would be off Lower Middle Hill with three off Shute Lane. 

ν PLANNING has been applied for to convert a former fast-food takeaway into a study/playroom for a flat at Grade II listed 25, Honey Street, Bodmin. The shop has been vacant since 2020 and the owner has been unable to sell it. The planning statement says there is no demand for retail in the location demonstrated by the large number of empty shops. 

ν A HOLIDAY unit can be put on land at Rose Cottage, Tregellist Road, St Kew. 

ν THE FLOORS above the former Edinburgh Woollen Mill on Fore Street, Bodmin are likely to be given planning permission for use as additional apartments. 

Pre-application advice was sought for the partial conversion of the Grade II listed building from retail to residential use, retaining 100 sqm of retail space and splitting the existing dwelling into two apartments. 

The proposed accommodation is for two two-bed four person flats and four one-bed two person flats.  

The advice given said that it was felt that the proposed conversion of part of the building to residential could be acceptable, subject to other material planning considerations. It was thought that the scheme would bring new life to an empty building adding to the viability of the town centre. 

ν A PLAN to build a detached bungalow on land on the east of Slade Park Road, Pensilva is unlikely to gain approval according to pre-application advice. The advice said it was not considered the proposed site is in a suitable location for residential development being divorced from the nearest established settlement and with no special justification given for the need of such dwelling in the open countryside. The proposal would be contrary to national and local planning policies.  

ν A PLANNING application to convert the former Natwest Bank on Fore Street, Bodmin into a restaurant and takeaway has been withdrawn.

ν PERMISSION has been given for a bungalow to be demolished at Southside, St Germans Road, Callington to make way for three detached houses.