Lower Strode Farm

Extending a permitted development ban conversion to make a rural family home

Whilst undergoing the initial Class Q permitted development change of use on this barn protected Horseshoe bats were found to be roosting in the roof. The ecologist proposed an external bat roost as the only form of acceptable mitigation, yet the development of such a structure would not fall under the Class Q remit. As such the application was refused. In a subsequent Full planning application, IWA successfully argued to the planners that yes the barn could be converted under Class Q if the new bat roost was retained within the dwelling - yet there was little public interest in this fall back position given the space it would take up would mean the home not be suitable for a family. As such, the full application put forwards (for a change of use and external bat roost) was deeed acceptable by the planned given the special circumstances we proposed.