An appeal has been lodged after district councillors threw out a scheme to extend a Dalehouse Lane barn right next to HS2 due to its impact on the rural character of the building.

After a lengthy discussion at a Warwick District Council planning committee meeting in May, councillors were split over the decision, but said that Hope Barn - which is 50m away from the high-speed rail line - should not be altered.

The decision was later branded "ridiculous" by Kenilworth Town Council members who had supported the application.

But fresh hope for the scheme has now come as an appeal has been lodged against the refusal.

A supporting report said: "It is evidenced that Hope Barn used to have a number of adjuncts and buildings, which is typical of farmsted development, and therefore it would not be uncharacteristic to see a similar evolution of the now domestic dwelling."

It adds: "The refusal reason says that if permitted this type of extension could act as a precedent.

"However, every application is determined on its own merits.

"The submitted application documents and information above consider the specific site of Hope Barn and its own unique considerations and demonstrate the acceptability of the development in this particular case."

WDC planners - who had recommended the application be refused - will now present a case before the application is reviewed by a planning inspector.

Split Decision

Cllr Rob Barry, who spoke on behalf of KTC's planning committee in May, urged district members to approve the scheme.

"The [KTC] committee is formed entirely of Kenilworth residents and the committee is therefore fully aware of the negative impacts arising from the construction of HS2, including the destruction of a large swathe of green belt," he said.

"The applicant, having had their property blighted by HS2, is now looking to develop the property for their occupation in the long term.

"For this reason, noting the changes to the built appearance in this resubmission, the [KTC] planning committee supports this application in that they believe this is an exceptional case due the impact of HS2 on the site.

"As the officers' report states this extension detracts from the original rural character and appearance of the building. We believe that the original rural character of the area has been severely detracted by HS2 - a factor that the published officers' report seems to overlook."

But Cllr Terry Morris, who did say that the officers had been inconsistent with their planning policies, said the fact that HS2 was nearby did not matter.

"By the way, proximity to HS2 is irrelevant - I'll just get that one out for members who haven't been on the planning committee for very long time," he said.

"It doesn't matter whether there is anything else nearby that is damaging to the green belt, this is the application as it stands."