Owner of 200-year-old barn near Haverhill ravaged by fire faces opposition to rebuild proposal

The owner of a 200-year-old barn that burned down almost two years ago at a cost of some £500,000 has submitted plans to rebuild it and create up to eight small business units.

However, the proposal to rebuild the 50 metre barn at Great Wilsey Farm, in Little Wratting, just outside Haverhill has met with opposition from Suffolk Highways.

The farmer’s owner, Jo Pelly, has applied to West Suffolk Council for full planning permission to reconstruct the barn, which before the fire in June 2021 was let commercially for light industrial and storage, and market the new barn’s units for office, light industrial, storage or distribution uses.

The blaze that ravaged the barn had led to more than 12 fire appliances being mobilised from across the region. It spread from one end of the barn in just 20 minutes.

Firefighters spent more than 12 hours at the scene, and the police told Mrs Pelly the damage caused would be in the region of £500,000.

A design and access statement submitted as part of the application by Whitworth chartered architects and chartered building surveyors, said: “The extent of damage to the buildings caused by the fire has led to near total loss.

“Rebuilding the range of barns will reinstate the buildings to their original form and appearance and will create employment opportunities on this site.

“The new-build sections will reinstate the buildings lost by the fire will be let for commercial purposes for either workshops, storage units or offices.”

It added that: “All units will be provided with mains water supply and drainage so that toilet and kitchen facilities could be constructed within each unit at the tenants’ discretion.”

Suffolk County Council has recommended to West Suffolk that the application be refused.

The council believes there are insufficient details available on the car parking space widths and lengths.

It also wants an assessment of how many vehicles are expected to enter the site and access car parking and to see a minimum of one fifth of all parking spaces fitted with EV charging points.