Planning Schedule Date: 10/08/2004 - Stroud District Council

Planning Schedule Date: 10/08/2004
that no agreement had been sought for this change. The works therefore constituted
unauthorised alterations.
When the matter was investigated further it became apparent that there had also been extensive
and unauthorised alterations to the windows and doors and that they had been finished in a
modern stain, likewise unauthorised. The owner of the buildings was invited to make
retrospective applications for these works.
Upon receipt of the applications a further site visit was carried out and it was discovered that a
number of other works, also unauthorised had been carried out. These works include the
repositioning of a staircase, the insertion of a floor at first floor level, the insertion of two
additional rooflights, the relocation of a window, the removal of several dove holes and the
addition of a stainless steel flue terminal. Revised plans have been received which show all of
the unauthorised works which have now been considered against the original consents.
At the time when the Listed Building Consent and Planning Permission were granted the
buildings were predominantly roofed in natural Welsh slate with two of the inner courtyard
elevations being clad in a modern asbestos slate. Some of these roofs were in a reasonable state
of repair. The buildings have now all been re-roofed in modern reconstituted slates.
PPG 15, paragraph C.27 above, is very clear in its guidance about alterations to roofs. While
there is no concern about the replacement of the asbestos slates, the loss of the natural slates is
considered to be very harmful to the character of the Listed Building. The natural Welsh slates
were characterised by the subtle differences in colour, shape, texture and thickness which,
together with their weathering properties, gave rise to an interesting and attractive appearance to
the roofs. The roofs of these buildings are a very significant and dominant feature and as such it
is essential to their character that the interest in the roof is retained.
The new, reconstituted roofs, are a stark contrast to the Welsh slate. The new slates are of a
uniform shape, size, thickness and texture and as a result the roof appears flat, uniform and very
dull. This dramatic change in character has severely harmed the character of the Listed
Buildings.
With respect to the windows and doors, the unauthorised alterations are considered, as a whole,
to be less of a concern. The original openings in the Listed Buildings have generally been
respected, the unauthorised works largely being contained within the infilled cattle byres. While
they have been finished in a modern stain, this could easily be overcome by the application of a
paint finish. However, there is an original opening over the rear barn doors that has been moved.
No justification has been given for this alteration and it has resulted in an unbalanced
appearance to the elevation to the detriment of the building. This elevation has also been subject
to the insertion of two unauthorised rooflights, again, no satisfactory justification has been given
for these works. The additional rooflights inappropriately exacerbate the domestic character that
this barn now subject to. They are therefore considered inappropriate.
The other unauthorised works to the buildings all relate specifically to the barn itself and include
the relocation of the staircase, the insertion of a floor, the insertion of a stainless steel flue, the
removal of a row of dove holes and the alteration of the plinth on the front elevation. All of these
works are considered to be inappropriate and cumulatively harm the character of the building.
The relocation of the staircase is of particular concern. It was originally to be located in the front,
former cart opening, allowing this area to remain open plan from the floor to the roof. This would
have allowed the original open volume of the building to be appreciated. The new staircase is
now boxed in against one of the walls and a first floor has been added in the cartway, thus totally
denying the building any areas of open space and volume. This essential character of the
building has therefore been destroyed.
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