REDUNDANT farm buildings and a cottage – parts of which could be as old as 250 years – have been refused a face lift. Fenland District Council s planners say the conversion proposals for Nellies Cottage and some adjoining barns in March would be detriment

REDUNDANT farm buildings and a cottage - parts of which could be as old as 250 years - have been refused a face lift.

Fenland District Council's planners say the conversion proposals for Nellies Cottage and some adjoining barns in March would be detrimental to existing buildings.

The proposal would result in a "form of development which is unsympathetic to the existing buildings," says Fenland Council.

It means Arthur Dunham must re-think the proposals for the cottage and barn at Binnimoor Farm, Rodham Road.

Ken Elener, his agent, told Fenland planners the farm buildings were redundant "being of a size which are not viable to use and also require significant repair."

He said the cottage has not been altered for at least 50 years and has many original features and initial talks with planners suggested the council would be seeking to list the cottage to ensure its preservation.

Mr Elener had hoped the council would "work together to preserve this important group of buildings".

However, despite a letter outlining his views sent to the council before Christmas, he has now received a letter of refusal.