A WORCESTERSHIRE landowner wants to demolish a listed farm outbuilding which has fallen into disrepair and rebuild it.

But planning officers at Malvern Hills District Council are opposing the idea because a recent structural inspection does not recommend complete demolition.

Applications for listed building consent and planning permission to demolish the building at Lawn Farm, Drake Street, Welland, have been submitted to the council by Roger Cousins.

The council’s development plans and conservation officers are recommending refusal saying: “We are of the opinion that this building makes an important contribution to the setting of the listed farmhouse. It is considered insufficient evidence has been produced to demonstrate that this building has to be demolished.”

Planning officer Gillian McDermott says a engineer looked at the building in September 2007 and again in 2008. “While the condition of the barn has deteriorated since the first survey report, the most recent information received does not state the building requires complete demolition,” says Mrs McDermott.

The plans will be discussed at the council’s southern area development control meeting on Wednesday.