PROPOSALS to convert an agricultural shed into five dwellings at a location near Holsworthy Showground have been put before Torridge District Council’s planners.

The application concerns land located on Rydon Lane, Holsworthy with the application being made by Mr Paul Martin.

If approved, it will enable Mr Martin to convert the agricultural shed, which was granted planning permission in 2022 into five dwellings without requiring planning permission under permitted development regulations.

In this instance, permitted development rights if granted would allow a developer to convert the agricultural building as it presently stands into dwellings, provided the dwellings occupy the curtilage of the current agricultural building which would remain standing in order to not impact the landscape.

The application also confirmed that the building was granted permission in October 2022, but had not been formally brought into use by July 2023, although it had been constructed by then.

Accompanying the planning application was a structural report, with surveyors concluding that the building was suitable for conversion into domestic dwellings.

It stated: “The roof timbers, frames and bracing forming the primary structure are in good condition and are suitably sized to support the vertical loads imposed by the converted scheme.

“The existing wall panels are not load bearing and therefore alterations are easy to create with minor works. An insulated panel will be required to comply with modern building regulations.

“The proposed architectural arrangement is sympathetic to the existing structure, and the primary support can remain with no major structural work. No parts of the structure were found to require replacement, and the existing steel frame is capable of supporting the scheme independently of the proposed conversion works.

“It is our recommendation that the barn is suitable for conversion”

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

The full proposals can be found on the Torridge District Council planning portal using reference 1/0558/2026/AGMB