A new village home has been approved despite Parish Councillors arguing that it would have an impact on the environment.

Members of the planning and licencing committee of Rutland County Council approved the application to convert a barn and disused cattle shed into a home with detached carport, next to New Quarry House in Holywell Road, Clipsham.

The development was described as "…an adaptation of an attractive range of buildings for residential use, being structurally sound and able to be converted without major re-construction. The conversion and re-use of this appropriately located and suitably constructed range of rural buildings for residential use is of a scale appropriate to the existing location and consistent with maintaining and enhancing the environment and would contribute to the local distinctiveness of the area".

Officers had recommended the application be approved, and neighbours on either side had commented: "The resulting development looks to be sympathetic with the existing dwellings on the plot and with others on Holywell Road and we have no objection to the overall proposal."

Another said: "This is a really nice carefully planned development that can only add to our community and surrounding properties. The proposal also ensures the sympathetic rebuilding of old buildings which need investment to stop them falling into disrepair. We are totally in support of the application."

However, there was an objection from Clipsham Parish Council: "This proposal does not minimise the impact on climate change and does not maintain or enhance the county's environmental assets.

"The development of a new five bedroom property adjacent to new Quarry House will harm the present environment of the property and will contribute to the wider harm of the environment caused by additional family daily commuting by motor vehicle which would be essential from this location. Therefore this application does not conform to sustainable development principles; it lies in open countryside, in one of the least sustainable locations and is not accessible by any other modes of transport except by the private car."

Independent and Together4Rutland Councillor, Gordon Brown, said: "Can you tell us when the last time was these buildings were used for agricultural purposes and when was this last a working farm?"

Paul Milne, planning officer for Rutland County Council replied: "When the buildings were purchased 45 years ago they were part of the Clipsham Estates and farmed by the Meddle family. There were some cattle still wallowing around, but the present owners, Mr and Mrs Paton were able to purchase the buildings and add them to New Quarry House, building a new cattle yard at the back. This was used until Robert Meddle moved to Canada 25 years ago, at which point all the buildings came back to the Paton's."

Independent and Green Group Councillor, Andrew Brown, added: "To me this looks like a really nice set of outbuildings that could possibly be falling into disrepair, especially roofing-wise. This application will avoid that and is tasteful and considerate of the former use of the buildings, so I shall be supporting the application."

Members voted unanimously to approve the application.

The next meeting of Rutland County Council Planning and Licensing Committee is on 14 February 2023.