Plans Proposed to Transform Historic Farm Buildings in Herefordshire into Five-Bedroom House

Plans have been put forward to turn a historic but dilapidated cluster of farm buildings in the Herefordshire borderlands into a five-bedroom house.
The grade II* listed Glibes Farmhouse and barns near Michaelchurch Escley date from the early 17th century but have been “largely neglected since the early 20th century”, according to a statement by Liam Wilson accompanying his bids for planning permission (number 262311) and listed building consent (262311).
Having been on English Heritage’s Heritage at Risk Register since at least 2008, this currently describes the condition of the farmhouse and neighbouring barn and cowhouse as “very bad” and undergoing “slow decay”.
“Structurally, the areas of most concern are severely leaning walls,” the planning statement adds.
The extensive plans include stabilising and reinforcing the farmhouse walls and re-roofing throughout, and rebuilding a demolished barn extension using existing stonework along with a collapsed link range and stable, which would then all form a large single two-storey house.
Internally, features such as wood panelling and fireplaces “will be carefully retained and repaired if necessary”.
There would also be “new standalone accommodation for bats to mitigate the loss of their current habitats in the house and barns”, according to the statement.
Four holiday cabins, a three-bay carport, a ground-mounted array of solar panels and screening planting also feature in the plans.
Though modest in appearance, the buildings’ grade II* listing puts them on a par with Hereford’s Shire Hall and Leominster’s Grange Court in heritage terms.
Comments on the applications can be made until October 15, with a decision due by November 4. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

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By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​