The owner of the Long Melford Saddlery has applied for planning permission to convert the premises into two residential houses.

The plans would see a two-bedroom house created within the existing pink-fronted two-storey timber-framed building, while a three-bedroom bungalow would be formed from the existing stores and outbuilding.

East Anglian Daily Times:

The Saddlery is a Grade II listed building, located within the Long Melford Conservation Area and is bounded by the site of a Roman village, which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The planning application said: “The delivery of two new dwellings would help to provide the supply of housing required by the National Planning Policy Framework, and provides modest units of accommodation sited in a sustainable and accessible location.”

Each plot would have two parking spaces and a garden.

East Anglian Daily Times:

The plans, lodged with Babergh District Council, also include provision for log piles, swift bricks, and bird boxes to encourage biodiversity on the land.

As well as a change of land use, the development would require the partial demolition of a rear flat roof, a recent addition to the building.

A consultation on the plans will now take place.