Policy PD-P18

The conversion of existing redundant agricultural (and other similar)buildings to form dwellings will only be supported where: 

• The existing buildings are characteristic, historic, vernacular buildings which are recognisably an important part of the local built and landscape context; and 

• The existing buildings are worthy of retention in their own right; and 

• The conversion very substantially retains the scale, character and appearance of the original building with repair generally preferred to renovation; and 

• The conversion does not give rise to the introduction of uncharacteristic fenestration or domestication of the setting or the introduction of conspicuous domestic paraphernalia into the setting of the building. 

The conversion of redundant existing agricultural (and other) buildings such as pole barns, simple concrete block barns or portal frame buildings which in the absence of an agricultural use would form alien elements in the landscape will not generally be supported. 

Avoids impacts upon the qualifying feature of the SAC and SPA from land take or changing land use.