A LARGE agricultural barn in St Minver could be turned into six dwellings, after a proposal was given approval by Cornwall Council.

The proposal concerned a single, large agricultural barn on land at Carruan, St Minver.

The applicants sought clarification as to whether the barn can be converted into the six dwellings under permitted development rights, which would mean no prior approval from the council was needed for the works, or whether it would require the submission of a full planning application.

Their plans would see the dwellings built within the external footprint of the barn, meaning externally there would be very little visual difference on the landscape.

In documents submitted as part of the proposal, the planning agent, Laurence Associates on behalf of the applicants told Cornwall Council: “It is proposed to convert the barn into six dwellings utilising the existing barn building.

“The proposed conversion will consist of one single-bed dwelling, one 2-bed dwelling, four 3-bed dwellings, and one 4 -bed dwelling.

“Each dwelling will consist of an open plan kitchen/dining/lounge area, a bathroom, and an enclosed courtyard, with the exception of the single-bedroom dwelling which will not feature a courtyard.

“The external design of the converted barn is relatively simplistic which in turn helps to retain its original, agricultural character. Windows and doors are to be proportionate, with the installation of rooflights to provide sufficient natural light into all habitable rooms through the use of the enclosed courtyard areas.

“No external extensions are proposed to the building’s existing envelope, nor would any demolition be proposed. A small curtilage is proposed to the northeast in line with allowances under the permitted right, with only a small patio and parking area proposed externally.

“Overall, the design of the conversion is intended to complement the site’s rural setting, rather than detract from the site’s visual appearance.”

Cornwall Council said that the plans to convert the shed into the six residential units as submitted to the authority was considered permissible under the permitted development rules meaning it does not need further planning permission for the plans.

They told the applicant: “I refer to the notification of proposed development at Land North East Of Southwinds Caravan Site St Minver Wadebridge Cornwall PL27 6QU which was received on September 14, 2026.

“I can advise you that this proposal will not require prior approval of the Local Planning Authority. The proposal constitutes permitted development as defined under Class Q, Part 3 of Schedule 2 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) Order 2015 and may therefore be carried out providing that it is wholly in accordance with the submitted details.”

The authority also set conditions on this approval, adding: “The works shall be carried out in accordance with the recommendations, mitigation and advice as set out in the Preliminary Visual Assessment for Bats and Breeding Birds carried out by LRP Ecology and dated March 2026.

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“Reason: In the interests of protecting and minimising impacts on biodiversity in accordance with Policy N2 of the National Planning Policy Framework 2026 and Policy 23 of the Cornwall Local Plan Strategic Policies 2010-2030.