Despite having made the application in 2023 it was very gratifying to finally achieve the grant of permission this month to convert the existing rural building as a single new dwelling on a small holding outside Sherston, Wiltshire.

The case officer worked proactively to agree the neutral impact of the comings and goings using the established access arrangements, and eventually the Council’s sequential preference policy regarding the reuse of rural buildings, favouring employment and tourist uses, ahead of residential was set aside. It was agreed that the one off and comparatively isolated possible holiday let was not a viable proposition comparing conversion costs and revenue, and furthermore would not be obviously compatible with the applicant’s livestock on the site.