AN appeal against a refusal for planning permission in Royal Wootton Bassett has been thrown out by an inspector.

A Mr Collett appealed against the decisions of Wiltshire Council made in August of last year to refuse planning permission on two related applications to convert a disused cow shed at Wootton Fields Farm and build a family dwelling.

But following a visit to the site of the proposed development on Marlborough Road on January 9, a planning inspector has dismissed the appeal, citing concerns over the impact on a listed building, a lack of public transport, and the possibility that bats could be roosting there.

He said: "The appeal scheme proposes to convert the former byre into a three-bedroomed dwelling, with a parking area within the enclosed courtyard and a separate garden created to the south and west. It is contended that the proposal would facilitate the preservation of the remains of the existing byre as well as restoring parts that have been lost. However, while some small elements of original fabric may be retained, the proposal would involve such substantial alterations to the original building that its authentic character of an ancillary agricultural building would be virtually obliterated.

"Overall, the proposal would be visually and functionally unrelated to the existing building and its established agricultural context, eroding the intrinsic character of the byre as an agricultural building within a traditional farmyard setting."