Plan approved after costs warning

COUNCILLORS at Warrington have approved a controversial planning application to convert a barn into two dwellings – after receiving a warning from officers that in the event of a successful appeal by the applicant there was potential for an order for costs to be made against the council.
The application by farmer John Bryan involved a barn at Birch Tree Farm, Red Lane, Appleton.
The borough’s planning committee had refused an identical application from Mr Bryan in August – contrary to officers’ advice.
The committee was told: “This application is a further chance for members to consider this matter. Members are reminded that if an appeal is lost then there is the potential for an order to be made against the council in respect of costs.”
Officers said two additional dwellings would not conflict with the council’s approach to housing land supply and would have very little impact on the green belt.
The buildings were no longer required for agricultural purposes and were not particularly suitable for business use due to the close proximity of the farm house and access arrangements.
The barn was built in 1986 and there have been 26 planning applications on the site since 1983. Appleton Parish Council and a neighbour objected to the change of use and warned that approval could set a precedent for the conversions of other farm buildings in the area.