A FARMING couple face an anxious wait as the legalities of allowing them to convert a redundant barn just 30m from a gun club are explored.

Freda and Richie Longstaff live in a Raby Estates property in upper Teesdale. But looking towards their retirement they asked Teesdale District Council planning south committee for permission to convert and extend the barn on land they own at Mickleton.

Mrs Longstaff told councillors she was born in Mickleton and wanted to retire there. She and her husband were from farming stock and would have no problem with the noise generated by the club.

"Quite a few barns have been done up in this area. A nearby one was done up a few years ago and has just had a new extension," she said.

But, in recommending refusal, planning officer Andrew Bishop said the site was in an area of outstanding natural beauty. "Residential use is noise-sensitive and it's proposed to create a house some 30m from a quarry used by a gun club," he said. "The environmental health officers say this is unacceptable.

"The occupants of the barn could make future complaints about noise disturbance, which could lead to an abatement notice served on the gun club," he added.

Mrs Longstaff gave assurances that this was unlikely to happen. "If we ever sold it then potential buyers would take it on knowing about the gun club," she said.

But Mr Bishop said: "If we were looking at putting a gun club next to a residential property we would have all sorts of issues. It works the other way round as well."

Members tried to find a compromise that would suit the Longstaffs without affecting the gun club.

Coun Phil Hughes wondered if a voluntary agreement could be entered into which would allow the conversion but not allow a complaint to be made against the noise.

He was told it would be unworkable.