Barns for Three Dwellings at High Trees Farm, Church Lane, WV16 4RE

High Trees Farm presents a superb residential development opportunity in an attractive rural position approximately two miles north-west of Bridgnorth. The site contains a traditional L-shaped range of brick, tile and timber-framed former agricultural buildings, believed to date from the mid-nineteenth century or earlier, together with later corrugated and steel-framed structures. The barns enjoy sweeping countryside views to the south and west and offer considerable scope to create a distinctive collection of character homes.

The planning consent can be found via the Shropshire Council planning portal by searching for planning reference 24/03517/FUL. It has been confirmed that there will be no Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) applied to this site.

The what3words for the current site entrance is ///groups.mile.joys however the site is to have its own private access as part of the development.

The planning consent provides for the sensitive conversion and restoration of the traditional barns to form three residential dwellings. The proposed scheme has been designed to retain and expose the most important elements of the original buildings, including historic brickwork, sandstone plinths, clay-tiled roofs and internal timber framing, while introducing carefully considered contemporary extensions, glazing and dark cladding.

Total plot area is 1.16 acres (4,706 sqm) including the new driveway.

Barn 1 will be approximately 100sqm.

Barn 2 will be approximately 156sqm.

Barn 3 will be approximately 140sqm.

The proposed accommodation has been planned around generous living spaces, private gardens and the rural outlook. Each home would have at least one ground-floor bedroom with an en-suite facility, level access to a rear patio and parking for two vehicles per barn plus two visitor spaces per barn.

The drawings show private landscaped gardens, patios and planted boundaries for each dwelling. The existing changes in level to the west would be used to create stepped gardens and terraces, taking advantage of the far-reaching views. Proposed landscaping includes native hedging, new planting and the replacement of existing Leylandii with native species. There are no trees within the application boundary.

Access is proposed from a widened private entrance leading from the public highway. The submitted design allows two vehicles to pull fully clear of the road. The new residential entrance would be separate from the principal farm access and would not serve agricultural traffic.

Electricity previously served four cottages on the site and water and electricity connections remain available. Water runs alongside the road and new connections will be required underneath the driveway. The proposed homes have been designed around air-source heat pumps for heating and hot water, supported by high insulation levels and high-performance glazing.

Foul drainage is proposed to be provided by a central system to cover the three properties which will need to be included in the management company’s responsibilities when set up. Treated water would be routed through the existing drainage run beneath the western field towards Tiddle Brook. An agreement is in place with the adjoining field owner for its continued use. Surface and rainwater drainage is expected to use suitably designed soakaways, with their exact size and position to be established following testing.

The barns are positioned beside an existing commercial and former agricultural complex, parts of which are used for vehicle and caravan storage plus a couple of light industrial businesses which maintain caravans and cars. A noise assessment was included with the planning submission, and the proposed high-performance building fabric is intended to help provide a comfortable internal environment.