The barn is located in the open countryside and is detached from any settlement. It is situated immediately adjacent to a Scheduled Ancient Monument, sited within the Cotswolds National Landscape and affects the setting of a non listed heritage asset.

As the site is located within the Cotswold National Landscape (CNL), the site does not benefit from permitted development rights. The MEP team led a team of consultants to address matters relating to heritage and landscape and submitted the planning application. The LPA refused the application on the grounds that the proposal was contrary to Local Plan Policy as it was outside a settlement and would cause harm to the CNL. An appeal was lodged and the Planning Inspectorate accepted MEP’s request for an informal hearing. MEP provided evidence at appeal presenting a robust case alongside Rappor, Blake Architects and LPS, demonstrating that the principle of a barn conversion outside a settlement boundary was acceptable in policy terms and the proposal would enhance the landscape.

The Inspector agreed with all the arguments put forward by the appellants, agreeing that the proposed conversion represented a sustainable form of development which would benefit the character and appearance of the Cotswold National Landscape.