An applicant who has been converting a barn into a residential home is now facing further enforcement action after planners refused permission.

Applicant Jaskaran Singh went ahead with the conversion at The Barn in Knowle Road after being granted permission by Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC) planners for an application in 2021.

That application was a prior notification, under class Q permitted development rights, and the conversion got under construction in 2023.

But work was halted by council enforcement officers.

A planning statement included in the latest application, submitted to the council in 2025, explains: "The approved agricultural building conversion to a detached residential dwelling was under construction and works were stopped by an enforcement officer, primarily due to concerns the as-built detached residential dwelling was noted as being larger than the approved drawings.

"The (permitted) right assumes the agricultural building is capable of functioning as a dwelling.

"The right permits building operations which are reasonably necessary to convert the building, which may include those which would affect the external appearance of the building and would otherwise require planning permission.

"This includes the installation or replacement of windows, doors, roofs, exterior walls, water, drainage, electricity, gas, or other services to the extent reasonably necessary for the building to function as a dwelling house.

"The main purpose of submitting the full plan application is to get this development formally approved."

But last month officer Mark Andrews, the council's head of planning, design and engagement service, issued a decision notice refusing permission.

The officer wrote: "The proposed retention of the as-built dwelling, which replaces an agricultural building of a smaller size and scale, and the part-built boundary wall/gates constitutes inappropriate development in the green belt.

"No very special circumstances have been demonstrated to outweigh the harm.

"The design and scale of the building would introduce an incongruous and harmful addition within the established road. The proposal would cause significant harm to the rural character and appearance of the area.

"The walls, pillars and gates to the vehicular entrance of the dwelling house would be positioned in a highly prominent location within Knowle Road.

"Having regard to their as-built height, appearance and location the walls, pillars and gated would introduce a discordant and urbanising feature within the road which would be detrimental to the character of the rural area."

The decision means the applicant now has to revert to the approved scheme or face enforcement action – although the applicant could appeal the decision to the government's planning inspectorate.

To view the rejected application search for PL/2025/00341/PPFL at https://publicaccess.solihull.gov.uk/online-applications.