A barn conversion will go ahead after a planning inspector overturned Shropshire Council’s decision to refuse it.

Paul Goudling applied to convert his barn at Northwood Villa, Northwood, near Ellesmere, into a residential unit.

Shropshire Council’s North Planning Committee refused the plans last year on the grounds that it would look out of keeping with the area.

But planning inspector Alexander Walker has overturned the council’s decision.

In his ruling, Mr Walker said: “The appeal is allowed and approval granted. The development hereby permitted must be completed within a period of three years from the date of this decision.

“Prior to the first occupation of the hereby approved dwelling, details for the parking and turning of vehicles shall be submitted to and approved in writing by the local planning authority.

“The approved scheme shall be laid out and surfaced prior to the first occupation of the development and thereafter be maintained at all times for that purpose.

“I acknowledge the council’s argument that the building is utilitarian and designed for housing cattle. That is the case for many agricultural buildings.

“The building is single-skin and therefore it is not unreasonable for works to be carried out to make the building weatherproof.

“The council also state that the building is not capable of functioning as a dwelling in its current state.

“However, it need not be. The GPDO permits reasonably necessary works to enable the building to function as a dwelling.”

He adds: “The council raise no objection regarding transport and highways impacts of the development, noise impacts of the development, contamination risks on the site, flooding risks on the site, and whether the location or siting of the building makes it otherwise impractical or undesirable for the building to change from agricultural use to a use falling within Class C3 (dwelling houses) of the Schedule to the Use Classes Order.

“Based on the evidence before me and the observations I made on site, I find no reason to conclude otherwise.

“For the reasons given above, I find that the proposed change of use is permitted development under Class Q and as such, having considered all matters raised, the appeal is allowed and approval granted.”