The conversion of a granary in West Sussex into staff or guest accommodation has been allowed after an Inspector found that it would not harm its historic integrity.
The granary stood in the curtilage of a former miller’s house near a restored windmill, both listed. The timber-framed building faced with painted weatherboarding stood on brick piers above ground level. The inspector did not find it architecturally exceptional, echoing English Heritage’s decision not to list it.
The limited external alterations proposed would not unacceptably affect its appearance, he decided, while the interior possessed no features of particular interest. While recognising the need to apply listed building policies to any proposal affecting curtilage buildings, he found the alterations acceptable.
He concluded that the proposal would not detract from the building’s appearance or affect its architectural or historic integrity. He awarded costs against the council after noting that the applications for planning permission and listed building consent had been refused against officer advice and had probably been influenced by third party representations without proper consideration of the planning merits of the proposals.
DCS Number 100-067-874
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