A barn at Down Farm Cottage, Bincombe can be converted into a garage, Dorset Council has decided.

The application claimed the Dutch barn is semi-derelict and to convert it would enhance the area. The proposal asked for a double garage on the same site, lower in height than the existing building.

A planning officer report agreed that the change was likely to be an improvement to Bincombe Down: β€œIt is considered that this scheme will vastly improve the visual appearance of the site. Given its very prominent ridge line location, the poor state of the existing barn is openly visible to all given its extensive height and dilapidated character. This scheme will see a much lower height building that will appear subservient in character and appearance with the dwelling rather than appear at odds given the difference in character between the two currently. Therefore, it is considered that this proposal will enhance the natural beauty of the AONB and remove an unsightly building, replacing it with a more modest, ancillary scaled building.”