Barn conversion dwelling at Taddington Hall Main Street Taddington

What was proposed

The application sought a barn conversion into a dwelling with ancillary accommodation or holiday let, access, parking, landscaping and a bat loft.

“The application is for the change of use of the ground and lower ground floors of barn to create dwelling with ancillary accommodation/holiday let. This includes internal and external works, the creation of a new vehicle access and parking, works of hard and soft landscaping along with associated installation of a bat loft.”

“Full planning permission is sought to change the use of the building, to create a dwelling with ancillary accommodation/holiday let. This includes internal and external works to the building. It is proposed to the create an access, parking spaces and hard and soft landscaping in the paddock to the east. There is also the proposal to install a bat loft in the roof of the Hall.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The building is an ancillary structure north of Taddington Hall, within the conservation area, beside a public footpath and open countryside.

“The site is an ancillary building to Taddington Hall; the Hall is a Grade II listed building and identified on the Historic Buildings, Sites and monuments Record (HBSMR – MPD11832). The building appears to have been used as an agricultural building and stables, with residential accommodation above. The building is set to the north of the Hall and abuts a track (public footpath WD95/41) to the north with open countryside beyond.”

“Overlaying the 2nd Edition OS Map (1898) over the 1st Edition OS map (1880) it looks as if the earlier structure(s) was completely rebuilt. The external evidence (in particular the window and door dressings) would appear to confirm a later 19th century date for the current building. In this case, the significance of the building is as a late-19th century ancillary outbuilding associated with Taddington Hall and it is deemed a curtilage listed building.”

Officer report

Earlier committee action

The committee had deferred the decision to allow improved design and discussion of glazing, parking and bat slates.

“Item 8 was presented and discussed at the same time as item 9 but the votes were taken separately with the vote for Item 9 being taken first. The decisions for both Items 8 & 9 had been deferred by the Planning Committee on 18 July 2025 to allow for an improved design and discussion regarding glazing, parking arrangements and the installation of bat slates.”

“Some Members had previously visited the site.”

Minutes

Officers advised refusal

Officers recommended refusal because the proposed alterations would harm the curtilage listed building and Taddington Hall’s setting without sufficient public benefits.

“The proposed alterations to the east, south and north elevations of the building would result in harm to the significance of the building, unduly domesticating the character and appearance of the building and harming the setting of Taddington Hall. While desirable to the applicants these alterations are not necessary to facilitate the conversion or achieve the conservation of the buildings.”

Officer report

The main concerns

The key issues were effects on the historic building, Taddington Hall, the wider landscape, bats and nearby neighbours.

“Whether the proposal would have a detrimental effect on the character and appearance of the curtilage listed building and its setting, or the wider landscape setting within which it sits; • Whether the introduction of a bat loft have a detrimental effect on the special historic and architectural character and appearance of the listed building, being Taddington Hall; and • Whether the proposal would harm the amenities of nearby neighbouring properties.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent spoke under the public participation scheme.

Members’ discussion

Members welcomed cooperation on an achievable solution and asked for an additional heritage recording condition.

“Officers and the Applicant were congratulated on working together to find an achievable solution.”

“It was noted that there was no condition proposed for any kind of heritage recording, neither architectural nor archaeological, and Members expressed that they would like to see an additional condition to include this.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee approved the application subject to conditions covering amended plans, heritage, parking, ecology, landscaping and the ancillary holiday let.

“A motion to approve the application subject to the conditions below with an additional condition to include heritage recording (see condition 14), was proposed, seconded, put to the vote and carried.”

“That the application be APPROVED subject to the following conditions:”

Minutes