Farmhouse is a classic case of historic building dilemmas

RED BRICK SURVIVOR: Wharf Farm was built alongside
the Stratford-Upon-Avon Canal. Solihull Council

HOW best to protect historic sites which are valued as local landmarks but have fallen into disuse?

Old farm buildings in Dickens Heath, built beside the canal in the 18th or 19th century, are currently at the centre of this debate.

A little over 18 months ago Wharf Farm became one of the newest additions to Solihull Council's "Local List" of heritage assets, amid fears the site was being scoped out for development.

The move approved in February 2022 was just about the best option open to conservationists at the time; it had been deemed "an interesting example" of agricultural buildings of this period and type, and deserving of protection. 

But it wasn't unusual or precious enough to meet the higher bar for a national listing.

Fast forward to this autumn and councillors are weighing up a scheme which will see outbuildings pulled down to make way for eight new houses and the farmhouse itself, apparently empty for five years or so, extended.

While being treated as two separate applications, the fact that decisions on both were deferred at last night's planning committee meeting confirms they are largely being treated as one connected package.

In terms of the outbuildings the council papers note the development (pictured right) would mean the "total loss" of their significance - local authority speak for "they wouldn't be there anymore".

Although heritage experts felt there were benefits to the changes to the main farmhouse; while due to be enlarged the refurbishment would mean the core building's future was secure.

This shows the balancing act officials face when considering schemes like this. When old buildings fall out of use they are at greater risk of vandalism, arson or decay. Locals will note that an ageing barn pulled down during HS2 works near Coleshill was falling in on itself long before the bulldozers moved in.

Putting such sites back into use might improve their prospects in the long-term, but may well mean changes that dispose or alter aspects of a site. The key question is how much change is too much?

Developers argue that while the site is "attractive", a good number of similar buildings exist across the country. Although the fact remains that in Dickens Heath premises which pre-date the mass expansion of the village in recent decades are rather rare.

Council officers apparently feel that enough of the farmhouse exterior - which hasn't seen a great many alterations over the years - will be kept and preserved to justify some of the losses elsewhere on the site.

Although as is always the case, other considerations - such as road safety and access - will weigh on the final judgement of Solihull Council. With decisions deferred this week, the next possible meeting for the scheme to be considered will be Wednesday, November 8.