Planning appeal decision
Thorpe Field Barn, Thorpe, Barnard Castle, DL12 9TW
Planning appeal 3353192 at Thorpe Field Barn, Thorpe, Barnard Castle, DL12 9TW (Durham County Council) was dismissed on 14 July 2025 by Inspector Francis M, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: Whether the proposed change of use would be permitted development under Class Q, in respect of whether it exceeds the size and whether it be permitted under Class Q(b) and the requirements of paragraph Q.1.(i).
conversion of the existing barn to a 3 bed residential dwelling
- Authority
- Durham County Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Francis M
- Postcode
- DL12 9TW
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- Whether the proposed change of use would be permitted development under Class Q, in respect of whether it exceeds the size and whether it be permitted under Class Q(b) and the requirements of paragraph Q.1.(i)
What decided it
The extent of building operations required, including a new raft foundation, internal timber structure, and replacement cladding, would go beyond what is reasonably necessary to convert the building to a dwelling and would constitute a substantial rebuild rather than a permitted conversion.
The decision letter
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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.
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