Councillors went against planning officers’ advice and granted permission for farmer Edward White to convert three redundant barns into holiday accommodation.

Wiltshire Council’s Eastern area planning committee was recommended to refuse the plans as officers said the barns were in open countryside and changing them to holiday lets would have an adverse visual impact. The parish council had objected to the application.

The barns are off Fiddlers Hill, Winterbourne Bassett, close to Hackpen Hill and The Ridgeway.

Janet Montgomery, agent for Mr White told the planning committee last Thursday: “This proposal is the best use for this building, combining a tourist use and recreational use. The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty will be preserved and enhanced with the use of these buildings.”

The committee said plan would be good for economic development without harming the countryside.