AP250016 2400534B Owners of Broadlands Appeal Statement
June 10th, 2025
From: redacted Broadlands, Churchtown, Lezayre, IM7 2AN
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In response to the planning appeal: AP25/0016 Original PA No: 24/00534/B Conversion of existing redundant storage barn to provide a residential dwelling.
Dear Planning & Building Control, our neighbour’s planning application was recently declined, and they have appealed the decision. This letter is in response to the appeal.
We don’t believe that our comments were taken into consideration when the original planning application was denied. In any case, they are not mentioned.
However, we are still worried about the prospect of a new dwelling being built on the slope above and near our home. It and people outside it, as well as those on its proposed driveway, would be able to see inside our house and garden easily. Especially through the windows of our proposed second storey that we’ve already received planning permission for.
From reading the reasons why the original planning application was declined, it appears that the applicants are attempting to attribute historical and architectural value to the existing structure. And using that to justify a “barn conversion.”
We have a comment on that matter.
When applying for planning permission for our home (PA 22/01199/B), it was initially denied due to the following reason, as per the TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1999 The Town and Country Planning (Development Procedure) Order 2019:
“It is considered the inappropriate first floor extension would be an incongruous additional to the existing dwelling of architectural interest, failing to respect the site and surroundings in terms of the siting, layout, scale, form, design of buildings and the spaces around and adversely the character of the surrounding landscape or townscape contrary to General Policy 2 (b) & (c).”
Our home was built after the barn currently being considered, but not long after. We think around the middle of the 20th century to maybe the early 1960s. It is stone-faced and has elements that seem to reference the old Lezayre church down the lane. It is a lovely house, but would benefit from modernisation.
Despite being denied permission in our original planning application, we were successful in our appeal. We did this by showing that the structure lacked sufficient architectural interest (among other things) to justify not changing it.
So, if our home, which is a sound and attractive building with design cues relevant to the area, did not meet the requirements for a structure with architectural interest, how could a run-down building that’s half lean-to and at least partially made of breeze blocks?
It’s a functional building made for its time, but it will probably need to be knocked down in the future. Possibly to be rebuilt as a new barn. Although the six acres of land above it (also owned by the applicant) are not currently being used, they could potentially be used for horses or livestock in the future.
Besides the barn lacking any redeeming design features, we also believe provisions for barn conversions are being manipulated to be able to build on the land for profit.
The design of the new dwelling is not designed for children and families, like all the other homes in our neighbourhood. It’s a small bungalow with three bedrooms, each with an en-suite and a private entrance. Three parking places outside make it clear that this is designed as a rental for multiple adult occupants, such as a holiday let.
Not only would that disturb us and future occupants of our home, but the structure’s design and purpose are unsuitable for Churchtown.
Thank you for your consideration,
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June 10th 2025
