A PARISH council has warned that plans to convert two former farmhouse outbuildings into holiday lets would represent “gross overdevelopment”.

Winterborne Stickland Parish Council has unanimously objected to Peter Wells’ application ahead of a decision being made by councillors on Tuesday.

“It is recognised that the applicant saw the proposals as a means to improve the setting of the village with a more modern approach,” it said.

“However, the scale and the design of the plan far outweigh any benefit.”

Submitted in January, the application seeks permission to convert two of the outbuildings at Stickland Farm House in West Street into holiday lets.

The east barn, built as a stable for cart horses, would be extended upwards to allow a gallery to be created on the ground floor.

The west barn, originally used to house a milking parlour, would be converted into a two-bedroom annex.

“Farming activity has clearly moved away to more modern barns located away from the site and the outbuildings are no longer included in any tenancy,” a statement submitted with the plans says.

“The outbuildings are currently vacant and very much in need or repair and a long-term use to secure their future.

As a result of the objection by the parish council, Dorset Council’s northern area planning committee will consider the application when it meets on Tuesday.

But despite the concerns, it will be asked to approve the scheme.

“The application site is within the settlement boundary of Winterborne Stickland which is one of the 18 villages identified for further growth [in the local plan],” planning officer Christopher Poad says in his report.

“The site is located within walking distance of the village and local facilities and therefore the dwellings are considered to be in a sustainable location.”

He added that the development “would not have an adverse impact” on the living conditions of neighbours.

A final decision will be made at the meeting on Tuesday.