A BARN that is to be transformed into a wedding venue in Astley has been given the green light by Wigan Council.

The Barn at Morley’s Hall will have the current stables – which are "in a perilous state" – demolished and replaced with a function room alongside a 51 space car park.

Outdoor works include a wildflower meadow, hedging and landscaping to ‘benefit the native birds’. The Grade II listed building will be retained and refurbished by the applicant Mr Tonge, bringing it back into use. 

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The Morley’s Lane site is set on the green belt, but the enhancement of the heritage asset through the replacement of poor quality additions and improving the landscaping of the site surroundings is deemed by the developer as a positive that outweighs this. 

The building already trades as a wedding venue and this application would see that regularised alongside the creation of the bar and other smaller works done on the inside of the hall. The developer wants to feature the historic aspects of the venue within their design for those visiting to enjoy, the planning statement stated.

“Morley’s Hall Barn is grade II listed and is located adjacent to Morley Hall which is grade II* and a scheduled ancient monument and is moated,” the statement continued.

“The barn itself dates from approximately early to mid-19th century with 20th century additions and alterations particularly to the interior. 

“The former threshing barn is brick construction in English garden wall bond and is 4 bays over 2 storeys. The barn features impressive and significantly large timber king post trusses which adds significant weight to its large size. 

“Although the barn has no recent planning history, some works have taken place, for which permission is retrospectively applied for in this application.”