A popular wedding venue in the Ribble Valley has submitted proposals to be able to host weddings more often each year.
The Out Barn, between Waddington and Bashall Eaves in the Ribble Valley countryside, currently is able to host weddings for up to 40 days a year.
The new plans submitted to the borough council, if approved, will allow this to increase to 100 days per year.
The company said in a planning statement this change is sought to allow them to fully focus on providing weddings and stop other activities.
The statement said: “The fundamental purpose in seeking this change of use from the present mixed use is to allow the facility to change emphasis to become solely a wedding venue limited to the provision of 100 weddings per year and at the same time fully relinquishing the unrestricted present use as a corporate training facility.
“Were the planning authority to adopt a positive stance to this proposal then this could, in reality, result in a considerable reduction in the intensification of the activities on site whilst at the same time allowing the wedding venue and its associated facilities to develop to a sustainable level.”
The statement also said the applicant, Mr H Backhouse, is committed to developing a sustainable wedding/events business.
The recent approval of 10 lodges to allow wedding guests to stay overnight is a testament to this and, the statement says, is a similar approach to other nearby venues such as the Inn at Whitewell and Browsholme Hall.
In 2022 and 2023, the venue exceeded its wedding limit after the inevitable postponements and cancellations in 2020 and 2021 caused by the pandemic.
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As well, the number of training/corporate events has gone down as working from home and online meetings continue to be used.
The statement said: “It is worth noting that the number of training/corporate events that can be held each year is not limited.
"In practice, however, it has become clear that the venue cannot host a corporate day or wedding on the same day.”
To view the plans in full, visit the council’s planning website.
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