Plans to convert a County Durham barn into a residential building have been approved by the council.

The barn, located on Yarker Lane, Mickleton, will be transformed into a two-storey, single-bedroom dwelling, following an application by Mr Peter Anderson, represented by Gary Wheatley of GW Architectural Design Ltd.

A historic stone barn, situated just north of Mickleton, it falls within a higher landscape value area near the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The barn, which has no significant prior planning applications, is recognised as a non-designated heritage asset and plans were supported by Mickleton Parish Council, provided it adheres to certain conditions.

Natural England has stipulated that 0.13 hectares of agricultural land must be converted to native woodland to mitigate nitrogen impacts.

The conversion project also received support from the council’s design and conservation team, which emphasised minimal external alterations to retain the barn’s historic character.

Durham County Council's highways department has demanded a paved driveway to prevent gravel on the road, although it noted no safety concerns.

The council’s landscape department recommended conditions on external boundaries, lighting, and material use to preserve the rural setting while the ecology department raised no objections, provided bat and bird boxes are installed as per survey recommendations.

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Durham County Council approved the application on November 8, with conditions that include the development starting within three years, compliance with approved plans, and an archaeological investigation required before conversion.

Measures for nutrient neutrality, such as converting nearby agricultural land to native woodland for a minimum of 100 years, are also required.

A sustainable design statement detailing carbon-reducing measures during conversion is mandatory.

The barn's conversion is set to preserve its historic form and character, with no major external additions allowed to maintain its agricultural aesthetic.

The proposal was approved as it complies with relevant policies, with no adverse impacts on heritage, landscape, or ecology identified.