Farmer wins fight against council to convert barn near Bristol into a family home

A farmer has won a fight against council planners to convert a barn in the Cotswolds into a family home. South Gloucestershire Council staff said the new home would damage views of the countryside as well as being too far away from the closest shops, post office and pub.

George Tiley was granted planning permission by the development management committee on October 12 to convert the barn, on Rushmead Lane north of Marshfield, into a three-bed house. His family has farmed in the area for centuries but he said he can’t afford to buy a home nearby.

Speaking to the committee, Mr Tiley said: “My family have been farming in Marshfield since the 17th century. My uncle who runs the farm is 68, and having been involved in a farming accident last year has begun slowing down and wishes to pass the farming business onto us.

“I’ve been helping on the farm since my early teens before studying agriculture at university. To take on the farm, we’ve been trying to base ourselves in Marshfield. But due to the high desirability of the area and rising house prices, we have been completely priced out.”

Council planners recommended the committee refuse permission, as the barn was a two-kilometre walk away from the nearest amenities in Marshfield, along a country lane without street lighting or pavements. A garden and parked cars could also damage views.

The site lies in the protected Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. But councillors overturned their recommendation, and voted to approve planning permission for the conversion.

Conservative Councillor June Bamford said: “I don’t believe it will cause significant harm to the openness of the area. There’s already a barn, an eyesore I would say, so I wouldn’t have a problem. People in rural areas aren’t going to have access to a bus or all the facilities — but some people do choose to live in the rural areas.”