Former dairy farm to be wedding venue
A former dairy farm will be transformed into a wedding venue after plans were given the go ahead.
Malthouse Farm, in Leaton, Bomere Heath, near Shrewsbury, has been given the green light by Shropshire Council to convert the premises into an events venue.
The building concerned is a single storey 390 square metre agricultural barn. It is constructed from steel frames with concrete block and wooden clad walls with a corrugated sheeted roof.
The venue will also have toilets, a catering area, storage and car parking for catering and all other ancillary staff required for the event.
The application stated: "The owners/applicants have explored alternative uses for the underused outbuilding adjacent to their offices and workshops and it was evident that there was a business opportunity to provide a niche market that is not currently served in the area for a wedding venue given its suitability with regard to location and size.
"The barn will cater for host weddings/functions for up to 120 seated guests.
"All weddings will have exclusive use of the venue. The weddings will take place at weekends, all music and entertainment will cease at midnight and all guests to leave the venue by 12.30am."
There will be car parking for about 60 cars, and an electrical charging point will be provided.
The plans add: "The facility at Malthouse Farm is particularly aiming at a sector of the market that is not catered for by the more traditionally established hotels and venues in the locality.
"It is aiming to create a bespoke and niche wedding venue that uses local independent businesses and suppliers for catering, bar facilities, entertainment, flowers, linen hire, venue dressers etc.
"The development of the barn as a wedding venue will encourage economic growth in the area, bringing in employment to local people and also an increase in tourist revenue to the local area, with the need for local hotel/B&B rooms for guests who have travelled from further afield to the wedding.
"The proposal of change of use from redundant agricultural buildings to a wedding venue is deemed to be a good use as the re-use of the buildings in this way will not only enhance the range of facilities in the area but will assist in the diversification of the rural economy and retention of employment."
