A THRIVING coffee roasting business is looking to expand its premises to deal with rising demand.

Chilton Manor Farm, based in Farleigh Road, Cliddesden, has submitted a planning application to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to convert part of one of its barns on its site into a coffee production room.

The plan is for the conversion of the south western, ground floor bay of the barn.

It is hoped that if development is permitted, the expansion will create employment opportunities.

The area which the farm is seeking to convert is a Grade II listed building made up of a mixture of late 19th century concrete elements with slate and cement roof boards alongside more modern steel framed agricultural sheds with metal cladding.

A planning statement reads: “Due to the success of the coffee roasting business they (the farm) require additional floor area for storage and product packing.

“This section of the building no longer has an agricultural use as it has been superseded by the larger modern steel framed buildings within the site.

“The proposed alterations to the existing historic fabric will be kept to a minimum with the creation of a new opening between the store and production area.”

The application has been submitted by PL Robinson Design on behalf of Chilton Manor Farm which said that the conversion would have minimum impact on the current running of the farm and neighbouring properties.

The planning statement added: “The proposals will provide a use for a redundant historic building which will prevent it from falling into disrepair.

“The use of traditional materials and simply detailed joinery will retain the agricultural character of the building when viewed externally.”

To view or make a comment on the proposals, go to planning.basingstoke.gov.uk and search for the reference 18/01311/LBC.