Planners approve St Andrew’s barn to be turned into a home

L’Echelle Gate House on Rue Des Rocquettes was originally part of the Les Galliennes Farm complex in the Talbot Valley.

Various buildings from the complex have since been sold to different owners, including this one.

PF&A director Alex Whitmore has been involved with the complex for the past five years.

‘This was the final structure, which was in a poor state of repair,’ he said about the gatehouse building.

An attempt to do repair works to the building was rejected last year as planners felt it was not of sound and substantial construction and there was a lack of information about how the building would impact the area.

The latest application, which has been approved, will allow it to be renovated to create a one-bed house.

The site is outside the local centres, meaning new housing would not normally be permitted.

But in this case it involved converting an existing, redundant building.

It was also noted it would not adversely affect the neighbours and a single unit of accommodation would not generate road safety concerns.

‘In the very particular circumstances of this site and taking into account the extent of fabric remaining, together with the historical associations of the original building, it is considered that the proposal accords with the purpose of the law,’ the planners said in granting permission.

The building is on the other side of the site from the other farm buildings, which are much further along in their development.

The main farmhouse and a barn that back onto the road are both owned by one party, and the renovated hay loft is owned by another.

‘It was all in an awful state,’ Mr Whitmore said about the site.

‘It was a lot to take on, but with different owners on the site, it has worked out beautifully.’

Les Galliennes was owned by the Brouard family, who were known for their flowers. After the owner died, it stood empty for six years, before going up for sale in 2018.

But none of the buildings were habitable then and major structural work was needed on the main house. It sold for £560,000 in 2019. Then a long planning process began, which was only completed this month with the final building getting permission.

Mr Whitmore said he understood good progress was being made on the main house, and the owners of that site also owned the nearby barn, which has permission to be converted into a house.

Work is almost complete on turning the hayloft into a home.

It means the derelict site will soon have four homes.

‘We are really pleased,’ said Mr Whitmore.

‘The work across the site consists of sensitive refurbishment and salvage of historically significant features, along with carefully considered additions to meet modern needs.’