OWNERS of a barn in Poughill, have applied for a two storey side extension and veranda, which was up for discussion at the recent Bude-Stratton Town Council planning committee meeting.

On Thursday, November 24, committee members met to discuss the recent planning applications for Bude. Among them was an application to build an extension and veranda to Bay Tree Barn in Poughill.

With the building being in a conservation area, councillors brought up some concerns they had with the plans.

Cllr Bob Willingham said: “We need to see that it’s not destroying the surrounding area.”

Chairman of the planning committee, Cllr Lee Bartrop, was concerned that the building could lose its traditional appearance, if not completed to the best quality.

He said: “It’s in a conservation area, and looks really nice. The previous owners have done a really nice job of turning it into a good dwelling.

“However, I am a bit concerned of how the extension could be built. When you use the same materials, if you’re not careful, it can end up not looking very good. What has also worried me is the drawings are a bit simple.”

Cllr Bartrop added that the plans showed stone coins on the corner of the site, and that the applicants wanted more coins to match the existing ones.

“If the builders don’t get the right stone, there is an opportunity for it not to look as good as it could do. However, the conservation officer will pick these issues up for us. The key thing here is making sure it is done well, and is synthetic with the rest of the area.”

It was noted that Cornwall Council could pick the application up and say it would need more detail, agreeing that the principle of the plans were fine, as it is located in a residential area already.

Cllr Bartrop explained: “There are a certain amount of buildings that just look like North Cornwall, and we need to look after them so we can keep them looking like North Cornwall buildings.”

Referring to the plans, Cllr Gordon Wint added: “It’s all about the detail. All of the details need to be strict; if they are not strict, then it will go through and just get done.”

Cllr Bartrop agreed, adding: “Some stone work looks good, and some stone work looks bad.”

Town mayor, Cllr Lea Deely, said: “I think it’s a bit harsh to object to the proposal. Subject to the conservation officer looking at the plans and agreeing, I would have no objections.”

Noting that the building is unlisted, but is situated within a conservation area, Cllr Bartrop said: “We have no objections to the principle, but have some reservations. While we note the intent to match, we’d like to see the extension is the same quality of the work the conservation had, and that the materials used are synthetic with the original building.”

Cllr Willingham said: “We are concerned with some continuation in the quality.”

The committee agreed that they are not assuming the work will not be done correctly, but concerns have been triggered due to certain aspects of the plans.

Cllr Bartrop said: “You can see it has been developed over the years, to a living area from being a barn.”

Cllr Wint added: “We need to make sure it is done correctly, so its integrity is still there, and so people are able to pick at it in 100 years’ time and realise its history.”

Cllr Bartrop said: “As a council, we are keen that the areas in concern are conserved. We want quality.”

Cllr Willingham added: “We would like the building to have a character of its own.”

The committee said Cornwall Council would make its own mind up about the application, and that the plans committee should put forward their thoughts on the application, with Cllr Willingham saying that they should ‘object to the plans; it’s the only way to get Cornwall Council to read our thoughts on it’.

Cllr Deely said: “I would accept it if Cornwall Council and the conservation officer accepts it.”

Cllr Willingham replied, saying that if they did not object, Cornwall Council ‘would not listen’.

Cllr Deely added: “We don’t object to the whole thing, because good luck to them if they want to extend.”

Cllr Wint brought the discussion to a swift end, adding that the site is within a conservation area with visibility from a public footpath.

The councillors then voted to object to the proposal, in the hope that more detailed plans would arise from it to be able to make further decisions.

The final decision is expected to be made by Cornwall Council plans committee.