Plans to convert a former agricultural building in the Ribble Valley have been refused by the council over fears the change would affect the character of the area.

Thomas and Sheila Binns submitted plans to Ribble Valley Borough Council last year, before withdrawing them and re-submitting fresh plans earlier this year to convert the building at Meargill Farm near Bolton-by-Bowland, to enable them to continue the running of the nearby farm.

A new design statement submitted to the council in August said the proposed development would allow an existing traditional building to be put to new use and would have ensured its long-term retention, providing a home for the applicants.

READ MORE: Bolton-by-Bowland farm building to house plans resubmitted

However, the council’s response said the work was not considered to be an “appropriate conversion” in an “unsustainable” location.

A decision notice said: “The works that would be required to facilitate the proposed development are considered to fall within the realm of extensive building and major alteration that would adversely affect the character and appearance of the application building, as such the proposal is not considered to be an appropriate conversion.

“In addition, the proposal would amount to new build development that would be located in an unsustainable rural location therefore the sustainable benefits of re-using an existing building cannot be applied in this case.

“The proposal would constitute an inappropriate form of development in as much that the works proposed to the existing agricultural building would be tantamount to the creation of a largely incongruous new build dwelling within the Forest of Bowland National Landscape.”

READ MORE: Oswaldtwistle woodland earmarked for battery storage farm

In the last planning statement submitted by Mr and Mrs Binns, they said there were no objections raised by the planning officer as to the suitability of converting the building.

They said the original use for the building was as stables for working horses at the farm as well as for cattle.

To read the plans in full, visit the council’s planning website.