PLANS to convert a cowshed at a Grade II-listed farm in order to expand a wedding venue business have been submitted.

The retrospective proposals relate to an existing agricultural building at Great House Barn, Llanfihangel-nant-Melan, near New Radnor, which has been operating as a wedding venue for more than a year.

Plans were submitted to Powys County Council (PCC) in November, with a determination expected by the end of March.

A planning statement as part of a report submitted to the local authority described proposals as a “low impact” farm diversification project, with the shed set to only be in use during the drier months, after which the building will revert back to general storage the rest of the year.

Applicants Laura and Elio Giordano opened The Sheepshed in 2022 on land at the family farm, located right on the side of the A44 in Llanfihangel.

“Utilising an existing agricultural building ensures there is no detrimental landscape or visual impact,” said agent Gerallt Davies in a planning statement.

“The proposed site was an agricultural building and yard at Great House Farm. The building was used as a sheep shed and partial storage.

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“The proposal is to convert the existing agricultural building to hold approximately 14 weddings a year over the summer months, and then used for general storage the rest of the year.

“There is no alteration required for the change of use. There will be informal parking in the adjoining field, with no hardcore put down, as the weddings will only occur in spring, summer and autumn, with the field dry enough to accommodate vehicles.

“The use will utilise the existing access, therefore it will be a safe means of access for the venue.”

The wedding venue has reported no complaints since opening. After being used for decades to house sheep and associated farming activities, the farm’s transformation has been described as improving the overall amenity of the village, as the building’s previous use for farming led to late night noise as well as light and odour issues.

The change of use has led to a cleaner site, so there are now no odour issues, while noise is negligible, given the tractors and machinery that were used on site traditionally.

The amount of foul sewage created by the proposal should also be limited, according to the statement, with it being screened out from having any impact on the River Wye.

“The scheme has been specifically designed to be minimal, in that every element is low impact, in terms of utilising an existing building, only having an approximately 14 functions a year, temporary parking area and so on,” added Mr Davies in the statement.

“It is important to also emphasise that the applicants would not require any planning permission to erect a marquee up 28 days of the year on a field on their farm and hold weddings.

“Emphasis needs to be given that without this permission the applicants will erect a marquee for 28 days a year and hold 14 functions without the need of any planning or highways improvement.”

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The report acknowledges that Great House Farm, including its attached cowhouse, is Grade II listed.

The building concerned, together with associated parking and yard area, is however not seen as part of Great House Farm and traditionally was not in the same ownership.

Great House Farm is accessed directly from the main road into a yard at its front.

In light of the detached nature of the building and site, it is considered no direct impact will be caused by the proposal.