Two objections have been received to plans for the conversion of five disused barns at Fall Head Farm in Silkstone into five homes and garages.

The site, no longer a working farm, consists of a farmhouse and a number of former agricultural buildings including a main barn and granary, stables, a cow barn, pig sties and sheds.

The applicant plans to convert and extend these barns to create a one-bedroom flat, two three-bedroom homes and two four-bedroom properties.

As part of the proposals, four new extensions would be built, with five new garages. Other more modern structures on the site, including pole barns and various sheds, would be demolished.

The plan is to build the new homes around a garden courtyard. New stone walls would be built and various landscaping works would take place, including new hedges and an orchard along the northern edge of the site.

Access to the site would also be improved by widening the access road at the A628 to improve visibility and also widen the lane in parts, in order to create new passing places and a diversion around the nearest property, Lees Hall Farm.

Objections to the proposals, however, have come from both the current tenant of Fall Head farmhouse and Silkstone Parish Council.

The parish council has objected on the grounds of increased traffic on what is, at present, a quiet country lane and also because it claims the application "goes against the parish design statement, which aims to highlight the need to maintain the village's green belt land and open spaces".

The tenant of Fall Head farmhouse has also presented a "strong and detailed" objection to the planning committee, pointing out that the works would result in the property being overlooked, an increase in disturbance and loss of privacy.

However, planning officials have recommended that the conversion be approved, saying that the 19th-century agricultural buildings are unfit for modern farming and "residential use would be a better way of retaining and enhancing the character and appearance of the buildings than a non-residential use".

The report states the site is in need of renovation and the plans "will not prejudice the openness of the green belt".

At the same meeting today, the planning committee will consider an application for the conversion of a small barn and
shed at Mill Farm, off New Road in Gunthwaite , into an eco-home.

The plans are to part-demolish, convert and extend the buildings to form an earth-sheltered dwelling, which would be highly insulated and boast several "green" features such as energy-saving devices.

No objections have been received to the proposals and planners have recommended the application be approved, describing the design as "extremely well received".

The report goes on to say the application "deserves to be supported as an innovative and imaginative piece of architecture, capable of raising the architectural bar".

It adds: "This is not the first occasion where an innovative piece of architecture has been used to justify an exception of normal green belt policy... the quality of design, the higher standard of accommodation resulting and the very low impact merit planning permission."

Decisions on both applications will be made at a meeting to be held at Barnsley Town Hall.