A PLANNING application previously opposed by Bidford Parish Council has now gained its support.

Councillors had recommended the refusal of a plan to convert a group of farm buildings into five dwellings at Farmington Farm, George’s Elm Lane.

At the time, they felt the proposal would be overdevelopment of the site and it was outside the built up area of Bidford.

But following a site visit, councillors voted to overturn their original decision because they felt the development would be an improvement and because it fulfilled the requirements of the parish plan of building a small group of houses.

Applicant Paul Harvey said turning the buildings into dwellings was the only way to preserve them.

“The barns need to be saved so they need a new use,” he said.

“We considered holiday lets and offices but they don’t work commercially because of the amount of remedial work needed so our only option was residential housing. We’re only proposing to develop the existing properties.

“It is outside the built up area but it’s an exception because they need to be saved.”