Barns scheme may offer slice of history

House hunters could soon be able to buy a slice of an historic country estate in Wolverhampton, under plans unveiled today.

Fourteen homes could be created with the conversion of old barns at Moseley Hall Farm, part of the Moseley Old Hall estate.

An empty agricultural barn at the farm in Moseley Road, Bushbury, could be partly demolished and rebuilt if planning permission is granted by Wolverhampton Council.

Mikki Karekar, from BHB Architects which is overseeing the plans, said the foundations of the old barn would create the footprint for the new homes.

"They will be linked mews-style properties and range in size from one to three bedrooms," she said.

Bushbury North councillor Leslie Pugh, today said he had "reservations" about the plans and the number of dwellings. He said: "Fourteen properties seems like a lot to fit into one barn which makes me think parts of it could actually be a new build which might not fit in with the area.

"It could mean up to 22 more cars using the very narrow road which links Bushbury to the Cannock Road and that would be quite a cause for concern."

Situated a quarter of a mile south of National Trust-owned, Moseley Old Hall, the farm occupies the manor house which used to be known as Moseley Hall.

It was home to the wealthy Moseley family between the 11th and 19th centuries, before being bought by the Hortons. The manor house and its outbuildings were completely rebuilt in the Queen Anne style by Thomas Moseley.

Six properties in a similar barn conversion at Carriage House, Manor Farm, Essington, have recently been sold to new owners. The council's planning committee will consider the application at its May meeting.