Land adjacent to Whittle Hall Farm, Moor Lane, Billington, BB7 9JH

Main issues, as the Inspector framed them

• whether the location or siting of the buildings would make it impractical or undesirable for them to change from agricultural use to a use falling within Class C3
• whether the proposed design would provide adequate living conditions for future occupants, with particular regard to privacy and outdoor amenity space
• the effect of the proposed design on the character and appearance of the buildings and the surrounding area
• the effect of the proposed development upon protected species

What decided it

The extensive and visible alterations to the buildings' external appearance, particularly the haphazard rooflights and new domestic-style openings on highly visible elevations, would adversely affect the character and appearance of the countryside in this exposed location, combined with unresolved concerns about potential harm to protected species in the absence of survey information.