AN APPLICATION to demolish a barn near Kirkby Lonsdale and replace it with three properties has been approved. 

The submission from M Burrows for a site at Thompson Fold, Lupton, conflicted with South Lakeland District Council's (SLDC's) development plan. 

However, a meeting of SLDC's planning committee was forced to consider the 'fallback position'. 

In the case of the Thompson Fold application, pre-existing planning permission was in place that would have allowed the existing barn to be turned into three properties. 

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A pre-meeting report said the landowner appeared 'intent on developing the application site' and that the newer application – for demolition rather than conversion of the barn – contained a 'number of additional benefits', such as sustainable design. 

Peter Winter, the agent of the applicant, told the committee meeting that the proposed building was of a 'much higher quality than that already approved'.

"It significantly improves the character and appearance of the immediate wider landscape setting," he said.

Committee member Cllr Malcolm Lamb said the meeting appeared to have 'no choice' but to accept the application.

"I do accept that what is being proposed is an awful lot better than what is there," he said.