DETAILS for the conversion of two historic barns at Styles Farm, Mappowder into two three-bed homes have been approved.

Dorset Council agreed a planning application for the site more than two years ago and has now given listed building consent to the details of the application.

The site is within the village conservation area and close to a number of listed buildings, including Styles Farmhouse, Newleaze Lodge and the village church.

The two barns are made of rubble stone and slate and the consent seeks to protect many of their historic features – detailing which methods will be used and the specific types of materials.

Part of the agreement will keep many features of the buildings including a saddle hook in one of the barns, with all modern external pipework to be kept to a minimum and where it exists to be in metal, the roof slates to be fixed in the traditional way with nails.