A Dengie parish councillor's plans to enter into vine farming by diversifying his current business have been given the green light.

Stow Maries councillor Simon Hollington has been granted planning permission to demolish an existing 20th-century cow shed on his site at Wellinditch Farm, in the village, and replace it with a two-storey workshop to serve 250 acres of vineyards.

Approving the proposal, planning officers at Maldon District Council said there is a "justifiable and functional need for the building at the site" as the "area of land which the building would serve is extensive, measuring 250 acres".

Councillor Hollington was granted listed building consent in February to go ahead with the plans, which was required because Wellinditch Farmhouse and one of the three existing barns on the site are Grade II listed buildings.

A statement submitted with the application says: "Wellinditch farm is currently used to keep livestock, but sets out to transition to a vineyard complex as a result of the applicant's endeavours to relinquish the demanding task of keeping livestock on this site and enter the field of vine farming."

It adds: "Planning permission will enable the applicant to fulfill their plans to transition to a new business venture in that locality, whilst actively maintaining their farming background and tradition."

The walls of the new barn will be clad with black-painted corrugated metal sheeting, while clay tiles will be used for the roof.

The barn will accommodate tractor and machinery storage, an ancillary room for racking, a toilet and a kitchenette on the ground floor, alongside a first-floor workshop and extra storage space.

The statement says the new building will "draw reference from the listed setting, rather than contradict it".

It adds: "The original cow shed, adjacent to the listed barn and now proposed to be demolished, was erected in the 1950s, at a time when the principles of preservation of listed buildings were not yet established."

It continues: "With conservation now established the criteria for building additions changed, making the original barn appear like an afterthought - redundant and obsolete within the setting.

"The demolition and addition of a new building is an opportunity to create a sense of place for the heritage elements."

In their statement granting permission for the plans, officers at the district council added: "Given that the building is considered to have been justified by the benefits of supporting agricultural practices, it is considered that its large scale is acceptable due to its functional need within this countryside location.

"There would also be adequate parking provision and the proposal is not considered to result in harm to residential amenity."