PLANS to convert a domestic garage and store into a home near Whitehaven have been approved following a successful appeal to the Planning Inspectorate.

The application was for Spout House in Sandwith was initially refused by Cumberland Council last year but, the decision was overruled by an inspector at the beginning of this month (April), who ruled that the appeal should be allowed.

Members of the councils' planning committee noted the contents of an inspector's report at a meeting at the Civic Centre in Carlisle on Wednesday (April 24).

The inspector granted planning permission subject to a number of conditions which include that the development should begin within three years and that existing parking provision should be retained, as approved, in the interests of highway safety.

According to the inspector's report the main issues were:

whether the building is suitable for conversion, with particular regard to its construction and appearance;

and if it is suitable for conversion, whether this would be an appropriate location for the proposal, given its level of accessibility.

In the report the inspector said the appeal site was located in the village but it was not identified within the Copeland Local Plan 2013-2028.

The inspector said: "The appeal scheme relates to a domestic outbuilding that adjoins other similar outbuildings. It has a simple form, with the appearance of a domestic garage.

"External materials include rendered walls and a tiled roof, with the external area bound by a low stone wall. Internally, I noted the use of blockwork to
some walls, but other walls were not exposed and so their materials could not be identified.

"The adjoining outbuilding has a slate roof and has stone to the east elevation, while its western elevation is externally rendered."

According to the report council policy aims ensure that traditional rural buildings are retained due to their attractiveness, craftsmanship, historic interest and as a reminder of the areas agricultural heritage.

The inspector said: "However, from the documents available to me, it does not appear that this interpretation is provided in the wording of the policy itself, or within its supporting text. Nor have I been provided with a definition of what constitutes traditional construction or appearance. As such, this is a matter of planning judgement."

The inspector said the conversion would retain the simple form of the existing building, which is consistent with those it adjoins, and it would not be out of character in terms of either its form, design or materials. The inspector added: "Based on the available evidence, I consider that the building is suitable for
conversion, with particular regard to its construction and appearance."

The inspector said that it was still a government objective to significantly boost the supply of homes and added: "In this context, the provision of an
additional dwelling would make a small but positive contribution to housing supply."

The inspector concluded: "For the reasons set out above, having had regard to the development plan as a whole and all other material considerations, I conclude that the appeal should be allowed."