A FORMER coach house could be converted to a home.

Plans have been submitted to Northumberland County Council which would see a change of use to the current building, used as a garage and for storage, to a two-bedroom house at Carrycoats Hall, Birtley.

Other works would include new windows to the north and west of the site, conservation rooflights, a new staircase and the raising of truss collars.

The applicant is David Burn and the proposals are being managed by JABA Architect Ltd.

A design and access statement submitted with the application describes Carrycoats as a “modest, country house” dating from C16/C17 which was remodelled in the 1830s. It is on land east of the A68 near the Colt Crag Reservoir.

The statement said: “The former coach house lies approximately 8m to the northwest of the hall across a small tarmacadam drive way.

“It is of substantial construction of both visual and historic merit and appears contemporary with, and was probably constructed during, or immediately after, the remodelling of the hall.”

The site takes in a projecting carriage house to the south with a groom’s cottage behind to the west, a triple-bay stable to the east and a continuous loft below a steeply pitched roof.

The statement adds: “The sympathetically designed proposals make the most of an opportunity to improve the character and quality of this rapidly deteriorating, heritage asset to create a very pleasant environment in which to live.

“The proposed new dwelling would not adversely affect the amenity of residents of Carrycoats Hall. This is partly due to a separate access driveway, window positions which do not overlook, a half-storey height differential, a tall, stone dividing wall, and the positioning of the gardens on opposite sides of the two properties.

“The proposed garden area to the north of the coach house is some 30m away from the hall, behind the three-storey property and a tall retaining wall.”

Carrycoats Hall is a Grade II listed building located on the Carry Burn. It is believed to be on the site of Carrycoats Bastle, part of the suppressed monastery of Newminster.