Cheshire West planning officials says approval needed

A proposal to change the use of two agricultural buildings at Lower Moss Farm in Higher Wych Road, near Malpas, was submitted to Cheshire West and Chester Council in March this year.

A planning statement, included with the application, set out the plans on behalf of the applicant.

It said: “Barn one was constructed in 1984 and barn two being constructed in 1988.

“Both barns are constructed using similar steel portal frames, are of substantial construction and enclosed on all sides.

“The barns are finished with a high blockwork plinth with a mixture of cement board, vertical timber cladding and corrugated metal cladding above.

“Barn one is accessed from the yard between the barns via a roller shutter door, and there is a pedestrian door on that elevation as well.

“There are also four rooflights in the roof. Barn two is also accessed from the yard between the barns via a roller shutter door and there is a pedestrian door on that elevation as well.

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“The barns are used for agricultural machinery storage for the ongoing agricultural enterprise at Lower Moss Farm, which is an established agricultural unit with an agricultural holding number.

“The barns have not been subject to any changes in their use and therefore have only been in agricultural use as part of this agricultural unit since their construction.”

Helen Jameson, Cheshire West planning officer, set out her reasons for deciding to put the application in front of the council’s planning committee.

She said: “An officer site visit was carried out in April 2026.

“The agricultural holding has historically been a dairy farm (which ceased in 1996) and now produces arable crops which falls under the definition of agricultural use.

“The buildings proposed for conversion were historically used to house dairy cattle but have since been used for the storage of agricultural machinery and equipment.”

She added: “It is therefore considered that the location and siting of the proposed buildings make it otherwise impractical and undesirable for conversion to residential use.

“On this basis, it is unlikely that prior approval for the proposal would be granted. Having regard to the limited information provided on the submitted drawings and likely degree of rebuilding required, the prior approval of the local authority would be required as to the design and external appearance of the buildings.”