A plan to convert and restore a redundant barn at Bassenthwaite looks likely to be turned down when it comes before members of the Lake District National Park Authority’s development control committee on Wednesday (August 7).
It has been recommended for refusal by a planning officer which conflicts with the support that the application has received from Bassenthwaite Parish Council.
The application relates to a detached stone barn to the west of Dower House, a Grade II listed building in Scarness on the northern shore of the lake.
There is a long planning history on the conversion of the barn. In 2015 planning permission was given for its conversion into a single dwelling which was subject to a local occupancy condition.
The permitted scheme utilised existing openings within the barn with a small number of new, sympathetic insertions.
Following approval two further applications were submitted seeking permission to convert the building into two holiday letting units. The first application was withdrawn and the second application approved.
The application submitted now seeks permission to convert the barn into a single dwelling which would be subject to a local occupancy condition. The scheme proposes an alternative design to that previously approved.
A report to the committee says that two new windows in the new plan would significantly change the character of the barn to the detriment of its landscape and historic setting. The report says that the proposed two new first floor openings, due to their large scale, horizontal orientation and contemporary appearance would be at odds with the character of the barn and would appear as incongruous additions to the building that would result in an unacceptable change to its character.
In conclusion the report adds: “The public benefits arising from the proposal including the provision of additional local housing would not outweigh the harm identified.”
