Council Blocks Barn Conversion in Tidmarsh

West Berkshire planners have added a clause to stop a land owner in Tidmarsh from ever being able to use a new barn as a home.

West Berkshire planners have added a clause to stop the owner of land at The Rancher on Manor Farm Lane in Tidmarsh ever using a new barn as a home.

The building – which opponents say includes three bathrooms, a kitchen and a veranda overlooking the National Landscape – was challenged by local residents during the planning process.

Ward councillor Mat Shakespeare represented objectors, saying people were “too scared” to speak out publicly after past objections led to “abuse and intimidation”.

“The original [portable building] on the site was to serve as a temporary welfare unit during the construction of two, which turned out to be four residential rental properties,” he said.

Residents pointed to a history of activity on the site: a previous portable unit placed on a concrete base and later used as the landowner’s office, and ongoing planning enforcement action.

“The application says it wants to store tractors there, but the value of the hay was put at £12k per year, and was previously harvested by a contractor in one day.

“Many residents are surprised that such an investment is being made for this return.”

At a Tidmarsh village meeting, the applicant reportedly said he would turn the land into a plant storage yard if his plans were refused. Councillors were urged to judge the application on planning merits, not the applicant.

Planners said amended drawings made the proposal look more like a farm barn. Edward Mather, from the architects, told the committee the building would store hay and seeds, with much of the hay likely to go to local equestrian businesses.

Eight local people formally objected, fearing the barn was a precursor to future conversion to a dwelling. Council planners said an agricultural appraisal did justify the barn.

The development was approved, but with a clear condition that “no residential use as habitable accommodation of the barn shall occur at any time in the future.”

Niki Hinman, Local Democracy Reporter