Wedding venue plans 10 bedrooms at Grade II-listed Blackbrook Hall
The proposal submitted to Lichfield District Council says the development would support a growing business.
Plans have been lodged to convert a former office building into wedding accommodation.
Blackbrook Barns is a newly established rural events venue. The business, which has been operating for 12 months, specialises in hosting weddings and private events and has already hosted 40 weddings. The applicant states they offer a high-quality, destination-style experience within a countryside setting.
The venue currently has no overnight accommodation which the applicant says is limiting future growth. The business has already created four full-time jobs, with a further 20 casual positions.
The Grade II-listed Blackbrook Hall in Swinfen dates back to the 1700s and was once home to architect James Wyatt. In 2022 it underwent a significant refurbishment programme to be converted into office space.
Now plans detail how the historic building will undergo minor internal and external alterations to provide 10 bedrooms for overnight wedding guests. The business states that many of its customers travel from outside the area and rely on off-site accommodation, which it says detracts from the overall guest experience.
The initial plans were to provide individual lodges on the site for accommodation. However, council officers who were consulted on the plans advised that the siting of lodges would be inappropriate in the Green Belt..
Documents submitted by the applicant state: “The scheme seeks to expand on the existing wedding events venue by way of providing overnight wedding accommodation facilitated by the proposed change of use of the grade II listed building Blackbrook Hall.
“The proposed internal alterations are sympathetic to the listed building. The Heritage Statement concludes the scheme has been appropriately designed in order to minimise the impact upon the listed building.
“The small number of external alterations proposed with the scheme will continue to support the high-quality finished development on this important site, without impacting on the openness of the Green Belt.”
Full details of the proposal and how to submit feedback on Lichfield District Council’s planning portal under reference number 26/01076/COU.
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