Permission for Fring barns to be turned into holiday lets

Freddie Brun applied to convert redundant buildings at Fring, near Heacham, into five apartments.

The buildings, which stand around a courtyard, date back to the horse-powered agriculture of the 19th century and are too small for modern farm machinery.

Mr Brun said the scheme would "secure the future of a range of historic barns through sensitive restoration and redevelopment".

The barns at Fring which can now be turned into holiday lets (Image: Chris Bishop)

But 15 objections were received from people living around the site at Church Farm, including people who own second homes in the village, which has no shop, pub or other facilities.

They feared it would bring increased traffic to the narrow lanes around Fring, while one said it would turn Fring, which has less than 50 households, into a holiday park.

The plans were scaled down and amended after a public meeting to discuss their concerns. 

Changes included reducing the number of properties from six to five. A 'welcome' barn, along with dedicated parking and access for guests is the subject of a separate application.

A planning statement said: "Securing the future of these historic buildings will help preserve the character of the Fring Conservation Area – a character which owes a great deal to the way in which the applicants have managed the Fring Estate over previous decades."

Council planners have given the scheme the go-ahead under delegated powers. 

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The decision notice states: "The site lies within an area in which the local planning authority would not normally permit permanent residential development.

"This permission is granted because accommodation is to be used for holiday purposes only.

"The accommodation shall be for short stay accommodation only, no more than 28 days per single let and shall not be occupied as a person's sole or main place of residence."