Plans to convert a building on a Cheshire farm into an aparthotel have taken a step forward.

A prior approval application had been made to Cheshire West and Chester Council for the change of use of an agricultural building at Dairy House Farm off Croxton Lane, near Middlewich.

It was historically a dairy farm and currently comprises a range of agricultural
buildings, including a traditional farmhouse, red-brick barn, Dutch barns and a single large dual-pitched portal frame building.

The application relates to the change of use of a portal frame Dutch barn, which lies to the west of the farmstead.  A Dutch barn is a type of barn with a curved or gabled roof and a large, open interior that is used for storage, housing animals, or as a workspace.

The building has been in agricultural use but a planning statement, submitted by Wharfe Rural Planning on behalf of the applicant, had stated that farming operations at the site were 'winding down' as the owner was looking to retire.

It said: "The applicants are seeking an alternative use for the application buildings and are therefore seeking prior approval from the local planning authority for change of use from agriculture to aparthotel use."

The report added: "The agricultural use of the site has allowed the unrestricted use of this entrance for many years by large agricultural vehicles without any impacts on highway safety. The site entrance has good visibility in both directions and is considered adequate to meet the needs of the proposed use.

"The change of use of the buildings is considered to have a negligible effect on the character and number of vehicles accessing the network."

The report said the the occupation of the building as an aparthotel was not considered to present a risk of adverse impacts to the surrounding area from an increase in noise levels.

It added: "There are no existing sources of noise pollution that would present a risk of adverse impacts to the occupants of the proposed building uses. Noise mitigation measures are not considered necessary for the proposed development."

Planning officers have now concluded that prior approval is not required.

With prior approval deemed to be unnecessary, a full application with further details on the aparthotel proposal is expected to now follow.