Plans to convert a County Durham farm's barn into three houses have been refused by the council.
Durham County Council's decision came after the application failed to meet specific criteria under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015.
The application, lodged by Mr Gerry Lyons of Eden Hill Farm, West Pelton, was submitted on September 18.
Proposals, which sought to transform a modern agricultural building into larger homes, were found to be lacking in several key areas according to the council's delegated report.
Firstly, the council identified that there was insufficient evidence to confirm the building's use solely for agriculture as part of an established agricultural unit within the required timeframe.
Secondly, the proposed floor space exceeded the permitted 465 square metres, and the cumulative number of dwellings under Class Q would surpass the limit of five within the agricultural unit.
Further issues arose from the lack of a structural survey to confirm the building's capability for conversion without extensive building operations.
The council also raised concerns about the potential adverse impacts on residential amenities, citing insufficient separation distances from neighbouring properties, which would fail to meet the required standards for privacy and light.
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While no public objections were received, concerns were noted by statutory consultees regarding proximity to public rights of way, ecology, and highways.
The proposal was found to fail to meet Class Q requirements and would adversely impact neighbouring residential amenities.
Policies 29 and 31 of the County Durham Plan and relevant sections of the National Planning Policy Framework were cited as grounds for refusal.
The decision, which was made on November 13, means that Mr Lyons' application for prior approval was both required and refused.
The refusal was primarily based on procedural grounds, specifically non-compliance with Class Q criteria, and concerns about its potential adverse impact on residential amenity.
The applicant does have the right to appeal to the Planning Inspectorate within six months of the decision date.
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