Dilapidated outbuildings belonging to a listed farmhouse on the edge of Swindon could be converted into a commercial private dining room.

And the owners of the buildings say that’s one way of giving the historic buildings new life.

Mr & Mrs J Kitchin, who live at Widham Farm in Purton, very close to north west Swindon, but just over the border with Wiltshire Council have put in a proposal to planners at County Hall to convert the stables and barn attached to the Grade  II-listed main farmhouse into a private dining establishment – where dinner parties can be catered for.

Their application says the outbuildings are “curtilage listed” meaning they are of historic importance because of their part in the main building’s setting.

It adds: “The two outbuildings generally remain structurally intact, they are however in a poor state of repair with structural cracks in the outer walls penetrating through to the internal face and extensive vegetation growing up and in some case into the outbuildings.

“The remaining outbuildings located on site are in a similar state of repair with some partially collapsed and with dense vegetation growing up and into the buildings in places.”

The owners’ plans include installing a small commercial kitchen and dining room for up to 30 guests.

But the application is at pains to point out it would not be a restaurant: “Unlike a restaurant, the proposed use involves temporary occupancy of the building by a resident chef, who then provides an exclusive private dining experience for a select number of guests.

The use would operate exclusively on the basis of pre-arranged events and diners would not be able to simply turn up on spec. A number of different chefs would use the private dining facility throughout the year, and none would occupy the facility on a permanent basis.”

It adds: “The intelligent management of change is a key principle necessary to sustain the historic environment for present and future generations to enjoy.

“The proposals aim to create a place that addresses sustainable and modern design objectives and makes a positive contribution to the area through a strong design concept.

The proposals have been carefully and sensitively designed in order to ensure that they do not have an adverse impact on the character of the listed property or wider area  and will add significantly to the usability and future use of the property as well as ensuring the longevity of this curtilage listed building and the listed farmhouse.”