The scheme makes no mention of or provision for protected species such as bats, birds, badgers and invertebrates. No survey has been carried out of the potential of the existing building to support such species and no mitigation measures are proposed to compensate for any possible impact. The proposal is therefore in conflict with Policy CS13 of the Charnwood Local Plan 2011-2028 Core Strategy.

It is established planning policy, at both national and local level, that new development should be permitted outside established settlements in exceptional circumstances only. These circumstances normally relate to an agricultural need. The application site is located in the countryside and there are no exceptional circumstances which justify over-riding the normal planning policies. The proposed development would conflict with the provisions of the National Planning Policy Framework, Policy CS1, CS11 and CS25 of the Charnwood Local Plan 2011-2028 Core Strategy and Policies CT/1 and CT/2 of the Borough of Charnwood Local Plan which promote sustainable development and seek to protect the rural character and appearance of the countryside.