Yahoo News Plan to bulldoze barn and build homes on historic farmland
PLANS to knock down a traditional farmhouse and barn on a historic farm - and replace them with two new homes - have been knocked back by planners. The scheme at Cuckoldmans Farm, Roman Road in Hoddlesden above Darwen was submitted earlier this year. Previously three barns at the site, which includes a public footpath, had been converted into houses.
A report recommending refusal of permission by Blackburn with Darwen Council says: “The application site relates to a traditional farmhouse and attached barn situated to the east of Roman Road, Hoddlesden. Access is reached by a private track which also forms a public right of way that runs through the historic farm and beyond. Planning permission is sought to demolish the existing dwelling house with attached barn and construct two new detached dwellings in replacement.
As the site is recognised as a domestic dwelling and its associated curtilage together with the attached barn formerly used for agricultural activities the application site does not fall within the definition of ‘previously developed land’. As such, the proposed development for the creation of two new dwellings in this countryside location cannot be justified based upon the re-use of brownfield land."
Planners said just one letter of objection had been received, adding that in terms of the overall scale, design and materials, the proposed dwellings would be "acceptable" at two storeys and traditional in appearance with traditional features. However, the report stated that the proposed residential development would be "inappropriate for this countryside area".
Planners added: “The proposed parking arrangements would offer substandard and unsatisfactory provision. The proposed development will lead to an intensification of the site in terms of increasing vehicular traffic, and due to the existing access via a long and narrow track it offers inadequate arrangements that would pose a greater risk to highways and pedestrian safety.”
