By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
A bid to convert a barn back into a home in the Forest of Dean has been given the go-ahead with one councillor stating it was lived in as recently as 2015.
Jim and Liz Bell have been granted permission this week for the development at Bradley Villa in Lower Soudley.
Forest of Dean District Council considered the scheme for the two bedroom property, which includes a new gravel driveway, at the development management committee on August 11.
Officers had recommended that permission be refused as they deemed it to be a rebuild rather than a conversion which constituted development in the open countryside.
But Mr Bell told the meeting that Bradley Villa was built in 1876 as a home for John Jarrett, the manager of Soudley Ironworks.
“It was lived in for nearly a century before its sale in 1970 for use as an intensive piggery and slaughter house,” he said.
Mr Bell explained his family saw the potential to restore it as a self-built home when they took it on in September 2023.
“Inside it is clear this has never truly been a barn,” he said.
“Original Victorian-tiled floors survive. Horsehair plaster marks where the staircase once rose.
“And original hearths remain in every downstairs room.
“We even uncovered the rear bakery where Mary Jones used to bake bread for the village.”
He went on to say that there is “overwhelming” community support for the plans.
“In bringing this application to the committee, we’re hopeful that it’s possible to look beyond the modern planning label of barn and recognise that Bradley Villa was built as a home.
“It’s capable of being a home again.
“We respectfully ask you to allow us to restore it with the care and the sensitivity that it deserves.”
Councillor Sid Phelps (G, Lydbrook) he canvassed the house in 2015 when he was on Ruspidge and Soudeley Parish Council.
“I know this area fairly well. I know people lived there.”
He asked when the last occupants lived there and chairman Dave Wheeler (G, Newland and Sling) said the applicants “suggested in the 1970s”.
“Rubbish!” Came the reply from Cllr Phelps.
Councillor Richard Burton (G, Newnham), who referred the plans to the committee, said he felt the application was “sensible and workable” and called on councillors to approve them.
“Most of the reasons for the previous refusal have been addressed leaving the rather arcane and minor matters which are at least arguable,” he said.
Councillor Beth Llewellyn proposed granting permission and this was seconded by Cllr Gill Moseley (LD, Newent and Taynton).
But officers said she needed a reason to go against their recommendation.
“We’ve got no five year land supply and we need homes for young families to live in,” she said.
“We need to be looking at all properties to be developed.”
Development manager Clive Reynolds said they needed to put forward reasons for refusal which saw the plans not as a conversion but as new development in the open countryside.
Councillor Moseley said the committee was entitled to a different view and that “the replacement of the roof is a reasonable and proportionate measure to maintain the existing building”.
And Cllr John Francis (I, Huntley and Longhope) said that view is supported by the structural report submitted in the plans.
Cllr Phelps also argued against refusal and said it wasn’t a rebuild or conversion.
“It was inhabited through evidence until the 1970s,” he said. “I would argue that I believe it was inhabited around 2015.
“I’m sure I canvassed the place in 2015. I would argue it’s a renovation of a dilapidated domestic premises.”
The committee voted to grant permission with conditions by nine votes to one.