Disused buildings on a Herefordshire farm could become seven new homes if a new plan is passed.

Nearby resident Mr Verdin is seeking approval to convert the two at Hill Farm, King’s Pyon northwest of Hereford, under what are known as permitted development rights, seen as less onerous than seeking full planning permission.

The larger is described in his application as a barrel-roof, portal-framed building lying alongside the road running east-to-west, with partial blockwork walls and corrugated metal cladding and roofing.

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This would be turned into four two-bedroom homes of identical layout and one slightly larger three-bedroom home, all on a single storey, accompanying plans show.

The smaller, a long and narrow building perpendicular to the first, is a portal-framed drying tower clad entirely in metal sheeting. It would become a three-bedroom house on two storeys and a four-bedroom house all on the ground floor.

Elevations of the two planned barn conversionsElevations of the two planned barn conversions (Image: RRA Architects, from application)

A separate planning application by Mr Verdin to regularise the presence of 12 static caravans immediately to the west of the buildings was submitted in March and is yet to be decided on.

This “does not materially affect” the current application, an accompanying statement says.

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So far the only published response to the caravans bid is from village resident Clare Fletcher, who said it “should be rejected on the grounds that these caravans would become permanent homes for people”, adding to existing noise and traffic concerns.

She feared that, with only seasonal fruit-picking work available to resident workers on the farm, they would otherwise “work illegally”, adding: “There is also a chance of the site being used for travellers which is a real problem within the areas.”