Barn conversion refused at Burghfield Common

West Berkshire Council has refused a proposal to convert an existing barn into a two-bedroom bungalow.

The proposal, submitted by Tania Zaslawska, concerns Fern Lodge at Burghfield Common.

It includes a new rear extension, front porch, gates and fencing, shared driveway and an outbuilding to store bikes.

But the council’s case officer dismissed the proposed development due to its position within the AWE Burghfield Detailed Emergency Planning Zone and its feared impacts on highway safety and the neighbouring amenity.

While they considered the social and economic benefits and location of the new dwelling to be acceptable, they added the benefits did not outweigh the concerns in this case.

Residents also voiced their reservations about the proposal on the council’s planning portal.

Anjuli Leahy said: “The proposed changes would lead to an increased feeling of enclosure in my property due to the close proximity of the extension.

“The removal of mature trees to be replaced with a building will detrimentally change the appearance.”

Another resident, David Buddery, agreed to the proposal in principle, with some conditions.

He said: “The opportunity should be taken to improve the pedestrian footpath to the front of the property.

“The footpath gets extremely narrow on the approach to the first mini roundabout, and this is a very busy stretch of road.

“The vegetation on the front of the property is very overgrown and further obstructs the pathway making the already narrow pavement very dangerous. It also further obstructs visibility.”