Politics · United Kingdom · 4 hrs ago
Rupert Lowe faces objections to Cotswolds barn conversion plans
Rupert Lowe wants to convert a barn on his Gloucestershire estate into a home, a separate annexe and a garage.
Lowe is the MP for Great Yarmouth and leads Restore Britain, a party he formed after falling out with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.
The plans have drawn objections from neighbours, including Rose Vestey, who says the development would not suit the valley’s unspoilt landscape.
Other residents fear the work could lead to further development.
A council biodiversity officer warned the scheme could harm protected Cotswold Beechwoods and put more recreational pressure on vulnerable wildlife.
In 2023, the council rejected Lowe’s separate proposal to convert five barns, and a planning inspector later dismissed his appeal over concerns about the design and landscape.
The current plans have drawn objections, but no decision is stated; Lowe says the work would restore old barns and would not involve farmland.
Rupert Lowe’s plans to convert a barn on his Gloucestershire estate into a home, annexe and garage have drawn objections from neighbours and a council biodiversity officer.
Rose Vestey said the scheme would not fit the valley’s unspoilt aspect, while another objector called for a restriction on further development.
A council biodiversity officer warned the development could affect the protected Cotswold Beechwoods and add recreational pressure on vulnerable wildlife.
Lowe says the plans restore old barns and do not involve farmland.
In 2023, the council rejected a separate proposal to convert five barns, and a planning inspector later dismissed Lowe’s appeal.
- Who
- Rupert Lowe, MP for Great Yarmouth, is seeking planning approval. Rose Vestey and other local objectors have raised concerns.
- What
- Lowe plans to convert a barn into a home with a separate annexe and a garage.
- When
- Not stated.
- Where
- Lowe’s estate in Gloucestershire, in the Cotswolds.
- Why
- Lowe says the plans involve restoring old barns. Objectors and a council biodiversity officer have raised concerns about the valley’s character, further development and wildlife.
Rupert Lowe
Local objectors and the council biodiversity officer
Development plans
Rupert Lowe
Lowe says the plans restore dilapidated old barns and do not involve farmland.
Local objectors and the council biodiversity officer
Vestey says the scheme would not fit the valley’s unspoilt aspect; another objector wants to prevent further development.
Environmental impact
Rupert Lowe
Lowe’s view is not stated beyond his description of the plans.
Local objectors and the council biodiversity officer
A council biodiversity officer warned of possible harm to the protected Cotswold Beechwoods and added recreational pressure on vulnerable wildlife.
Lowe applied to convert five derelict barns into homes, but the council rejected the scheme.
Lowe appealed, but a planning inspector dismissed the proposal and criticised its design as ‘insensitive’.
Lowe’s plans to convert a barn into a home, annexe and garage drew objections from neighbours and a council biodiversity officer.
- Applicant
- Rupert Lowe
- Location
- Gloucestershire, in the Cotswolds
- Proposed conversion
- A barn into a home, separate annexe and garage
- Objector
- Rose Vestey
- Protected site
- Cotswold Beechwoods
- Earlier application
- 2023: plans to convert five barns were rejected
What people are saying
not ‘remotely in keeping with the unspoilt aspect of the valley’
development is not [of] farmland in any way shape or form