Plans to convert Burnley farmhouse into holiday home rejected

Mr C.M Hoyle wanted to convert Cold Soil Farm in Kebs Road into a vacation hub for 12 tourists.

But council planners have ruled the scheme inappropriate to the property’s open countryside setting.

The site is located in typical moor land off The Long Causeway. It was occupied historically by a traditional farmhouse which over the decades fell into a ruinous state, hence the site name ‘Cold Soil Ruins’.

From about 2010 onwards the site was used for a skip hire business before being tidied up.

The shell of the holiday unit has been constructed in roughly the same position as the former Cold Soils farmhouse.

Mr Hoyle, of Mereclough, applied to Burnley Council to keep the reconstructed property and use it as a holiday let, but it has refused to grant permission for the scheme.

A planning officer’s report said: “The applicant states that there is a lack of accommodation in the borough of this size, stating there is only one alternative at Fence Gate in Pendle.

“The applicant states that the proposed business model – one large holiday unit of accommodation that can meet the demand for larger groups to stay in one unit – necessitates a more permanent style of building.

“The management of the bookings will be led through Skyes Cottages and day-day on site management will be led by the owner of Stiperden Farm.

“The statement says: ‘Whilst this holiday unit is at the other end of the tourist market to glamping pods, these same factors apply. The holiday unit here will complement those already approved at Stiperden House Farm in the range of holiday units available.

”‘This holiday unit will add to the tourist accommodation provision for the Burnley area. That is because it aims at that part of the ‘staycation’ market that provides for large family/group house rentals that is sparse at this location.’

“The proposal would contribute to the tourism economy of the borough in a small way but it is clear there are other alternatives already .

“The application is refused for the following reasons: the retention of the building is not considered to be in a sustainable location and would not contribute in any meaningful way to enhancing or maintaining the vitality of the rural community and the creation of a holiday let is not considered to be in an appropriate scale to the countryside it lies within.”