TV property development expert Sarah Beeny and husband Graham Swift have applied for permission to change the use of a barn on their estate for commercial activities.

Avalon Planning and Heritage, on behalf of the couple, has submitted an application to Somerset Council to change the use of the 495sqm building, a “steel portal frame agricultural barn” at Stokeford Farm, in Stoney Stoke, near Wincanton.

The farm is part of the estate owned by the couple, which featured in the TV series, New Life in the Country.

“The proposed change of use of the barn is sought to enable a flexible longer-term use of the building, noting the changing use and context of Stokeford Farm,” the application said.

READ MORE: Sarah Beeny and Graham Swift submit homes plan for barns on Somerset estate

The barn is “not within the setting of any listed buildings and the site does not contain a scheduled monument, it went on, nor is it located in an area at risk from flooding”.

“The agricultural barn has recently been subject to external repairs, principally to address security and weatherproofing issues to support its current agricultural use,” it said.

It added: “Notwithstanding the repairs and minor alterations, the building remains in agricultural use.”

The Somerset estate featured in the Channel 4 series, New Life in the Country. Picture: Channel 4

Any change of use would not result in increased vehicle use of the site, the application said.

“In fact, the level of activity is likely to be comparable or less than the existing lawful agricultural use,” it added.

The scheme is the latest planning application for the site, and comes after Mrs Beeny and Mr Swift applied for permission to create five new homes by changing the use of a number of barns on the Somerset estate.

It will now be considered by Somerset Council planners. For more details, and to comment on the scheme, log on to www.somerset.gov.uk and search for application reference 23/03059/P3RPA.