PLANS to rebuild the remnants of the stone coach house in Sellack has been approved by Herefordshire planners along with the refurbishment and conversion of a Nissen Hut to form a two-bed holiday let.

The site of Upper Grove Barn is within the open countryside, forming part of a cluster of development at Upper Grove Common, and is accessed via a rural unclassified road.

The site contains two existing structures: a stone stable/coach house and a Nissen hut located to the east.

The stable/coach house is in a poor state of repair, with the roof missing and sections of the walls collapsed or absent.

The application states that the building was in large part dismantled by a former owner with the surviving structure comprises most of the front elevation with two large doorway openings and the majority of the gable ends, which are now braced.

The entirety of the rear wall has been removed and there is no surviving roof structure either.

All the original fixtures have also been removed to leave a mostly bare earth floor.

Close to the remains of the stable/ coach house is a Nissen Hut with characteristic barrel roof which is set on a considerable concrete plinth.

The applicant states that the first phase would be the sensitive rebuilding of the remnants of the stone stables/coach house to the original proportions and external appearance, utilising salvaged stone and natural slate, with timber joinery.

The building would be used for storage purposes incidental to the dwelling.

Planning officer Chloe Allen-Hewitt said that the coach house is proposed to be restored for a use incidental to Upper Grove Barn and added: “However, its acceptability depends on considerations including design, landscape and heritage impacts.

“Herefordshire Council’s policies make it clear that there is local and national support ‘in principle’ for sustainable tourism related proposals.

“Whilst the site is within the open countryside, it is under four miles from Ross-on-Wye and the area has an extensive network of public rights of way can be accessed within 100 metres of the site, providing pedestrian links to a range of surrounding settlements and hamlets, enabling visitors to explore the area without relying solely on the private car.

“The proposed holiday accommodation and restoration of the coach house are acceptable.”

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