Charmydown Barn forms part of a historic farm complex centred on Charmydown Farm House, a Grade II late 17th century detached farmhouse. The site also incorporates Charmydown Lodge, formerly a pair of worker’s cottages that were converted to a 3/5-bed detached dwelling in 2012. The site is located within the Green Belt and Cotswolds AONB, as well as the indicative extent of the World Heritage Site setting and the indicative landscape setting of the Upper Swainswick conservation area. The associated farm buildings on the site, including Charmydown Lodge, Charmydown Barn, and other ancillary buildings like the ‘piggery’, are considered to be curtilage Grade II listed.
BPT is campaigning for the appropriate conservation, repair and use which sustains the heritage asset.
2023 – Retrospective Resubmission of Planning Applications
Applications 23/00429/FUL & 23/00430/LBA were submitted, proposing minor amendments to reverse works such as the addition of new window and door openings in the Cross Barn, and the insertion of increased glazing in the ‘piggery’ to maximise the perceived openness of the building in keeping with its historic character. The application further sought to regularise unauthorised landscaping works, and including the re-levelling of spoil heaps on the southern parcel, and sought to simplify landscaping proposals for the Barn.
In response, we reiterated our previous concerns with harm to a group of heritage assets and adverse impact on wider landscape character, and continued to call for enforcement action.
Read our planning application response here.
2021/2022 – Retrospective Planning Applications
Applications 21/04437/FUL & 21/04438/LBA were submitted to regularise unauthorised works to the Barn. Works included the addition of new window and door openings in the external elevations. Most significantly, the permitted 2.2m trench had already been extended an additional 2m to increase the residential floor space at lower ground floor level to accommodate facilities such as plant room, bathrooms, pantry, study, boot room, etc. The ‘piggery’, formerly an open-sided animal shelter with distinctive stone piers, would be fully enclosed to create a studio, additional bedroom, and ensuite.
The applications were subsequently withdrawn, and application 22/01210/FUL, was submitted with the argument that a listed building application was not required where the building would fail to meet the requirements of curtilage listing.
BPT raised strong concerns in response to the proposals, particularly regarding the ‘works first, permission later’ approach that had already been taken by the applicant across the site, and we called for strong enforcement action from the Council. The scale of works to the Barn had already unbalanced its relationship with the wider farm site (in which it should remain a subservient, ancillary addition to the main farm house) as visible in wider landscape views across the Green Belt and the Cotswolds AONB.
We successfully argued for the Barn’s inclusion within the Grade II curtilage of the farm house, due to its historic age, working relationship with the farm house as part of an agricultural ensemble, and its interconnected farmyard setting which is still clearly visible.
Read our planning application response here.
This resubmitted application was also withdrawn.
2016 – Listed Building Consent for Maintenance Trench
Application 16/03241/LBA was granted listed building consent for the creation of a trench along the north wall of Charmydown Barn, of a greater width than the previously permitted ‘stone culvert’ (total width 2m). The trench would be intended to enable access to the north wall and footings to facilitate ongoing maintenance and repair where fabric had already been damaged by water ingress.
This aspect of proposals later became the focus of an ongoing enforcement case, where the trench had been extended to nearly double its permitted width and converted to residential use.
2012 – Proposed Residential Conversion of Charmydown Barn & Historic Cottages
Applications 12/05579/FUL & 12/05580/LBA proposed a series of alterations to the previously permitted scheme, as follows:
- Reconstruction of the northern wall of Charmydown Barn & creation of new retaining wall and subterranean stone ‘culvert’.
- Reinstatement of the stone piers of the ‘piggery’, which the applicant had started to remove in breach of the previous planning application.
Most significantly, it was indicated that the partial demolition of the historic cottages had been undertaken without permission, despite originally being described as structurally sound by the Council’s Building Control Surveyor in 2010. The north and east walls were entirely removed and were described by the applicant as having collapsed due to structural failure caused by vegetation growth. The development of the cottages would therefore constitute the construction of a new dwelling, rather than the conversion of an existing building.
The applications were referred to Planning Committee and granted planning permission/listed building consent. As a standalone building, the cottages were considered to have limited heritage significance, and redevelopment would secure the viable use of what remains of the building, as well as contributing towards the historic grouping of farmyard buildings.
Read the Committee report here.
2008 – Planning Permission for Residential Conversion of Charmydown Barn & Historic Cottages
Applications 08/04768/FUL & 08/04769/LBA proposed a scheme of works for: a) the refurbishment and conversion of Charmydown Barn, an agricultural stone barn, to a 5-bed dwelling; b) the conversion of the derelict worker’s cottages to the north of the site to create a new 3/5-bed detached dwelling; c) conversion of the adjoining ‘piggery’ animal shelter to a studio and pool house; d) formal landscaping works including the creation of a pool, private lawns, and a new boundary wall along the southern edge of the development.
BPT considered the redevelopment of the Barn to be “reasonably sensitive in its approach and detailing.” However the redevelopment of the cottage would most likely count as the development of a new dwelling, and is therefore inappropriate development in the Green Belt (link to BPT response).
Read our planning application response here.
The applications were referred to Planning Committee and granted planning permission/listed building consent, on grounds that the proposals would be sympathetic to the buildings’ historic character, and would enhance a group of heritage assets and the setting of the Grade II listed Charmydown Farmhouse.
Read the full Committee report here.