parish Swaledale: Last News

Our Yorkshire Farm stars Clive and Amanda Owen have finally received planning permission to renovate their home. The stars of the much-loved Channel 5 series bought High Smithy Holme back in 2020, which is a remote farmhouse in the Swaledale parish of Muker. Clive, 67, and Amanda, 47, have faced a two-year battle to obtain permission from planning officers to turn the derelict cottage into a two-bedroom house, The Daily Star reports.

Our Yorkshire Farm stars Amanda and Clive Owen bought High Smithy Holme, also known as Anty Johns, a remote farmhouse in the Swaledale parish of Muker, in 2020, which is a short distance from their sheep farm, Ravenseat. The couple is now set to start the process of turning the semi-derelict cottage into a two-bed home after having been given permission. However, the plans reveal the home only has two bedrooms, meaning it would be unsuitable for the family of 11 to live there.Grade II listed property Anty Johns, which features an attached barn, dates back to the early 18th century and has been empty for around 60 years. It was once the home of Anthony Clarkson, a Georgian-era land surveyor and commissioner who designed all of the tithe maps of Swaledale.The Owens submitted plans for a conversion into a two-bedroom dwelling as the property is in a semi-derelict state and has suffered from roof collapses.The floor plan includes a living room, hall/stairs and cupboard in the former parlour and dairy service room, a lounge in what was once a stable, kitchen/diner, utility and shower rooms to the rear, and two upstairs bedrooms.No objections to the scheme were received either from official consultees or members of the public.The Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority's planning officers recommended the application for approval, commenting that the plans “struck a good balance” between conserving the building's historic character and the requirements of modern habitation.They added that they were supportive of the farm being brought back into use.Some conditions were imposed, including the installation of bat boxes on a sycamore tree in the grounds.The Owens originally told the media that their purchase of High Smithy Holme