Plans to turn a former barn-turned-stable into holiday accommodation in a moorland village have been approved despite objections.

The scheme for Meadowcroft Farm in Bury Road, Edgworth, has been granted planning permission by Blackburn with Darwen Council.

The building was constructed and used as an agricultural building, with the Bullen family running the farm.

However, due to personal circumstances the farming operations were required to cease.

The family has since used the building in part for the stabling of horses to occupy the barn, and during Covid it provided somewhere a suitable location for horse owners, and brought in some additional income.

Now the family can turn it into three one bedroom holiday lets.

A report recommending approval by planning officer Martin Kenny said: "The proposal relates to an existing agricultural barn sited to the south of Meadowcroft Farm.

"At the time of the latest site visit it was identified as being in use as a stable block.

"Full planning permission is sought for the conversion of the barn to provide three holiday lets.

"Eleven neighbours were consulted by letter and a site notice displayed.

"Three public objections and a letter offering comment have been received and are summarised as presence of existing holiday accommodation within Meadowcroft Farm; cumulative impacts on character of area and overdevelopment; site is within the Green Belt; impact on wildlife; and traffic impacts.

"The reuse of an existing building, which is of permanent and substantial construction, is not considered to be inappropriate development as current stable block is relatively modern (circa nine years old), stone built with slate roofing and currently in a good state of repair.

"The proposed alterations will facilitate the end use, with the new openings providing natural light to bedrooms and lounge areas.

"The arrangement of the new openings mimic the form of traditional vernacular barns, whereby openings are not regular in form, size or their arrangement.

"The most contentious element would be the provision of bi-folding doors to the under croft area, which would replace the existing timber doors.

"This element faces the open aspect to the south and in isolation would be an incongruous addition.

"However, the submission indicates sliding timber panels that would have potential to limit the proportion of glazing visible and reduce the overall impact of this domestic feature.

"The public objections relate, in part, to traffic impacts of the development.

"The anticipated movements for the three holiday lets is difficult to calculate, though is likely to be lesser."