A barn at Lower Marsh Farm in Folkards Lane, Brightlingsea, can be converted into a two-bedroomed bungalow, Tendring District Council (TDC) has decided.
The conversion was approved despite concerns from Brightlingsea Town Council (BTC) that the building – owned by John Holding – is outside of the town’s development boundary and contrary to the recently-adopted Local Plan. Further concerns about the width of Folkards lane and its access on to Red Barn Road were made by BTC and nearby residents, who also raised objections about the height of the pitched roof.
The building was given permission for conversion in 2019 by default after TDC failed to determine an application within the usual time frame, though the council said subsequent legal advice confirmed that the proposal “was likely to have been granted”. Foul drainage will be provided by a septic tank as the building is too far away from mains drainage.
The owner will be required to make a contribution of £1,166 towards open space provision in Brightlingsea. TDC says this will go towards new play equipment at the Bayard recreation ground.
