A PENNINE village barn branded an ‘abject eyesore’ is to be redeveloped as two luxury moorland homes.

Lee Buckley has been given the go-ahead to redevelop the redundant building at Longshaw Head Farm, Crowthorn Road, Edgworth.

His proposal was praised by councillors as ‘an excellent design’ and ‘exemplary’ as Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee approved the scheme.

Mr Buckley’s agent Richard Gee told Thursday’s meeting: “This barn is an abject eyesore. It’s horrible.

“This will be a significant improvement. It is an excellent design.”

The Bolton News: The Existing Longshaw Head Farm, Edgworth, Barn

Blackburn South and Lower Darwen ward Conservative Cllr Jacquie Slater said: “This is a very careful conversion with an excellent design.

“It is an excellent proposals for the conversion of an existing dilapidated barn.”

Committee chairman Cllr Dave Smith said: “This is an exemplary design for a barn conversion.”

A report to Thursday’s meeting by planning manager Gavin Prescott said: “The proposed residential conversion of the existing barn is identified as an appropriate exception for development within the Green Belt

“The application site is located approximately one mile to the north east of Edgworth village, within a small group of homes and buildings associated with Longshaw Head Farm.

“The site and immediate surroundings are within open moorland that is designated as green belt.

“The site is occupied by a portal steel framed barn, which is clad with corrugated metal of contrasting colours.

“Generally, the building has a quasi-industrial appearance and appears dilapidated.

“The proposal details the replacement of the external cladding/roofing and insertion of window and door openings.

“The new facades would be formed with grey coloured metal standing seam cladding to the east and west elevations, with timber cladding to the north and south elevations.

“Bronze coloured surrounds are proposed to the openings within the east and west elevations to provide feature details.

“The south elevation has a roof overhang providing a recessed area that will accommodate private balconies.

“Full landscaping details are provided, which seek to utilise native upland species and provide for a natural approach

“The building is currently unsightly.

“The presence of three public rights of away also mean the building is open to public view despite its remote location.

“The proposal seeks to provide a contemporary conversion.

“The proposed design represents a significant improvement upon the current appearance of the building and thus offers advantages to the character and appearance of the immediate setting.”