Significant step forward for controversial plan to convert ancient Balsall Common barn into home

A plan to convert an ancient barn into a home, which split council officers and planners, has taken another significant step forward. The scheme for the timber frame and brick barn at Barretts Lane Farm to become a four-bedroom home received planning permission in the summer.

Applicant Brendan Connor then applied to Solihull Council to sign off preparatory conditions which feature in the planning permission agreement. An application to formally ‘discharge’ conditions three (materials), four (description of action) and five (programme of archaeological work) was submitted to the authority in September.

And the authority's website now shows planners signed off the conditions on November 19. The Grade II listed timber framed barn, which has fallen into disrepair, was built in 1590 with extensions built in the 1940s.

READ MORE: Meriden MP reveals dad's fears over new tax as he says 'why have you declared war on farmers?'

Brumwish 2024 - buy a gift for a child in need

BrumWish 2024 is Birmingham Live's festive drive to get thousands of gifts to children and young people across our city - among them the homeless, the vulnerable, kids in care, kids who are poorly or struggling, and kids who have little.

There are THREE simple ways to help.

1. Buy a new gift from the Brumwish 2024 Amazon giftlist. In just a click your donation will be whizzing its way to our volunteers at Edgbaston Stadium.
2. Donate money to the appeal fund hosted by Thrive Together Birmingham - this will help pay for gifts for kids with specialist needs or specific wishes.
3. Buy a gift and, even better, rope in friends, neighbours and workmates to do the same, then drop off your pressies at Edgbaston Stadium, Edgbaston Road, B5 7QU on Friday 6th December, 10am - 3pm; Saturday 7th December, 10am - 1pm; or Monday 9th December, 10am - 1pm. Volunteers will be there to help you. Please don't wrap your gifts. You can also drop off by arrangement until Monday 16th December - contact Louise on 07469 979286.

Thanks to our partnership with #Toys4Birmingham, every single gift will find a good home in the loving care of a child living in B&Bs or hotels, hostels or refuges, children receiving support from specialist organisations and charities, and families being supported by children's centres and charities around the city.

Making up the Brumwish and Toys4Birmingham gang are Thrive Together Birmingham, Birmingham Playcare Network, Warwickshire Cricket Foundation (the charitable arm of Warwickshire County Cricket Club), Birmingham Forward Steps and BirminghamLive/Birmingham Mail.

Thank you to Amazon UK and the amazing team at the Sutton Coldfield depot for their support.

Before getting approval Solihull Council’s officers had recommended refusal saying the proposed development would harm the “designated heritage assets” at the Balsall Common farm. But the applicant argued the plans would be "fully compliant" with the National Planning Policy Framework, English Heritage Guidelines and Solihull Council policies and highlighted the positives of the scheme.

At the planning committee meeting Councillor Andrew Burrow, who represents the Meriden ward where the farm is based, said: “We don't have much in the way of historical assets in Balsall Common. The historic barn is on the point of collapse.

"We have the opportunity here to save an ancient barn in a way that retains its structure." Permission was granted after the committee voted in favour by a majority at the meeting held at the Civic Suite in July.