A 16th century grade II-listed site is set to be turned into new housing.

Plans to convert the 475-year-old Frognal Farm Barn in Teynham, Sittingbourne, into three properties were submitted in June.

The 3,900 sq m site is in Lower Road and features the barn, which is overlooked by the main house at the farm – itself a protected property – and an adjacent courtyard.

It is a large single floor structure and dates as far back as 1548.

Cconsultants Blackrock Architecture Limited applied, on behalf of Frognal Properties, with details on how it would be converted into residential use in the form of three four-bedroom properties.

Planning officers from Swale Council approved the proposal on Tuesday.

The plans propose new internal and external doors, ceilings, and windows, plus alterations to the barn’s roof, walls, and floor.

Meanwhile, a new boundary composed of a 1.8m high wall would be built surrounding the barn.

Listed Buildings are recognised as being of national importance, and are legally protected from being demolished, extended or significantly altered without permission from the local authority.

Grade II sites are referred to as being of “special interest”, meaning every effort should be made to preserve them.

Although the barn is not in a conservation area, it has been defined as deteriorating and in a poor state of repair.

A design statement from the applicant said: “The current poor state of the listed barn and its presence on the ‘At Risk’ register, should encourage any scheme which will see it restored and brought back to a viable use.”

The development will see the number of parking spaces at the site reduce from 20 to 16, albeit with the addition of 13 new cycle spaces.

Construction work is to take place from Monday to Friday between the hours of 7.30am and 6pm, as well as from 8am until 1pm on Saturdays.

The approved plans come at the same time work on a new multi-million-pound A2 road layout is beginning.

A new roundabout and access road are part of controversial plans to build 300 homes next to Frognal Lane, Teynham.

The project is due to begin today ahead of its completion in September this year.