en.Wedoany.com Reported - New plans to convert the historic barn at Cantref House near Brecon into an independent dwelling have been submitted to the Bannau Brycheiniog planning authority. This residential development application comes just weeks after a previous application for the same barn was refused by the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Authority (NPA) planning committee.
Applicant Rob Jenkins is reapplying for permission to restore the fire-damaged listed barn and integrate existing outbuildings to form a new dwelling with barn storage. Cantref House is a Grade II listed, three-storey residence with a late Georgian style façade, built around 1790, originally serving as the vicarage for St Mary's Church. The site is located near Llanfrynach, south of Brecon, with the barn situated to the rear of Cantref House and listed due to its functional association with the main house.
In 2020, the barn was almost completely destroyed in a fire, leaving only the walls standing. Full planning and listed building consent applications to rebuild the barn were approved by the planning authority, but a condition of the permission stipulated that the barn could only be used as 'ancillary' to Cantref House. This condition has hindered financing for the residential development project, as mortgage lenders require it to be an 'open market dwelling'. The total project cost is estimated to exceed £600,000, with the insurance company paying the family only £114,000, leaving the remaining £486,000 to be financed through a mortgage.
Planning agent Samuel Organ of CO2 Architects explained that the revised residential development scheme secures the dwelling's acceptability through a Section 106 agreement, which controls occupancy and defers the payment of the affordable housing contribution until a future specified disposal event. The draft clause stipulates that the building will initially be restricted to occupation by the family and direct descendants of Cantref House. Mr Organ stated: "This restriction reflects the family rationale that has always underpinned the proposal, ensuring the dwelling remains associated with the existing property rather than being immediately disposable on the open market. Should Cantref House be sold to someone outside this family group, the affordable housing contribution would become payable in full."
When the NPA planning committee discussed the previous residential development application in March this year, members expressed sympathy, with some wishing to defer the decision until the affordable housing contribution issue was resolved. However, concerns that deferral would lead to the 'application being delayed indefinitely' ultimately prevailed. A decision on this residential development application is expected to be made by June 23rd.
This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com
