A GRAIN store building in Curry Rivel could soon be converted into eight new homes.

Plans for the agricultural plot, at Burton Pynsent Farm, have been submitted to Somerset Council to develop three one-bed, four two-bed and one three-bed dwellings.

The application comes after a previous was refused for five homes, due to the impact it would have on “designated heritage assets”.

However, a planning appeal allowed the scheme in June 2024, though work has never started.

Now, the number of homes has been increased, due to the “upgraded number and size limitation imposed in the 2024 Regulations”.

The application said the scheme “is permitted under the new 2024 Regulations”.

A grain drying plant on the site would be demolished, as was the case in the previous application.

“It relates to the same building, the same fenestration design, same overall external curtilages and same demolition of grain drying plant and similar vehicle parking area to that found acceptable by the Appeal Inspector,” the application said.

“Under these circumstances, the Inspector’s analysis of impact should equally apply to the present scheme.

“For these reasons, the introduction of eight households on this former farmstead would not introduce harmful or objectionable impacts to justify the denial of permitted development rights.”

A grain drying plant would be demolished as part of the plan. Picture: Salmon Planning Company/Somerset Council

The design of the properties “recognises the design functionality of this former grain store”, it went on, with concrete panels retained at ground floor level and steel profile cladding placed on upper elevations.

“In respect of the demolition works involved, this relates to the removal of six 4.5m wide and 3m-high concrete infill panels beneath corrugated metal cladding and between the steel stanchions,” the plan added.

“The removal of these panels is required to provide natural light and ventilation to habitable rooms and provide semi-outdoor courtyard amenity space for the occupants.

“The roof purlins will be retained but the roof sheeting removed to allow a greater feeling on openness of the spaces created below.

The elevations of the proposed properties. Picture: Salmon Planning Company/Somerset Council

“For these reasons, it can reasonably be argued that the extent of demolitions are reasonably necessary for Units 1 to 8 to function.”

Parking would be created for 17 cars, the plan said.

For more details, and to comment on the scheme, log on to somerset.gov.uk and search for application reference 24/02100/PAMB.