Plans to convert three old barns near Welshpool into new homes have been approved by Powys County Council.

A planning application asking for permission to demolish a series of timber outbuildings at Severn Leigh in Leighton and convert the barns into three dwellings was approved by Powys County Council on September 5.

The plans were submitted by applicant James Potter in March this year.

Plans included improving the existing access to the redbrick sawmill and barns as well as installing a treatment plant.

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In a final report about the application, the council said: “Whilst there will be some impact to heritage and ecological assets, it is considered that the merits of reusing a listed building with a sympathetic design outweigh the impacts and the recommendation is one of conditional consent."

While the former sawmill and barns are Grade II-listed, the council’s built heritage impact officer supported the application on the grounds that the project would not impact the listed buildings, preserving them during the conversion.

In their report, built heritage impact officer Dr Sam Johnson said: “Comments were given previously for minor amendments and some additional detail.

“This has been provided and is considered to clarify matters. In regards to the demolition and rebuilding of the park wall, the reduction of this is very welcome. In terms of the buttresses and steps, these details are also very welcome and demonstrate the scheme is acceptable and will not harm the character of the site.”

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Some concerns with the application were raised by Natural Resources Wales (NRW) as part of their consultee comment on the project.

A NRW spokesperson said: “We continue to have concerns with the application as submitted because inadequate information has been provided in support of the proposal.

“To overcome these concerns, you should seek further information from the applicant regarding protected species. If this information is not provided, we would object to this planning application.

“We also advise that based on the information submitted to date, a condition regarding bats and lighting should be attached to any planning permission granted.”