LANDOWNERS in the North Tyne want to transform two redundant agricultural buildings into one, two bedroomed house.

Mr and Mrs York, of Parkside Place, Bellingham, have submitted a planning application to Northumberland County Council to convert the barns into one dwelling, along with associated access and amenity space.

According to the planning application, the two existing barns on the site are redundant, and are currently being used for storage of items owned by the applicants.

The two spaces sit around a central courtyard, and it is hoped the couple can transform it into a two bedroomed house, which would be split into two parts. One car parking space would be created too.

The application reads: "The proposed footprint of the buildings will remain unaltered.

"No extensions are proposed as part of the proposals. The internal works look to re-configure the existing layouts to form habitable living spaces.

"The scheme proposes the use of the two existing barns which sit around an existing courtyard, to form one dwelling.

"Barn/side one will provide kitchen and dining space on the ground floor, with a

bedroom and ensuite over.

"Barn/side two will provide lounge, study and WC space on the ground floor, with a second bedroom over.

"The two barns will form one self-contained dwelling, over the central courtyard."

Access to the proposed dwelling would be via an existing vehicular and pedestrian access off Pennine Way.

The access runs through an existing stone archway and around to the central courtyard. This access is under the ownership of the applicant and family. The family have sole vehicular access rights, with pedestrian rights being open to surrounding property owners.

External works to the building would include the insertion of new windows and doors at ground and first floor level.

New roof lights would also be inserted to provide light into the interior spaces. Proposed materials, including random rubble sandstone, brick, timber, slate and proportionate glazing, would be in keeping with the existing building and context.

"The design is sympathetic to the existing buildings and the built environment courtyard context," the application states.

Julian Thompson, of Bellingham-based Insight Architectural Design, is the agent working on behalf of the Yorks.