Wiltshire barn to house ski simulator and climbing wall

A skiing simulator and climbing wall will be built at Bapton Manor Farm in the Wylye Valley

Plans for a barn to be converted to house a skiing simulator and climbing wall have been approved.

Wiltshire Council has given the plans at Bapton Manor Farm in the Wylye Valley the go-ahead.

The site, near Warminster, will include a 5.5m tall ski slope simulator for up to eight visitors at a time.

The application stated that the barn was surplus to requirements and the plans would bring it back into a viable use as well as create new jobs.

It also said the change of use would aid "the county's policies on rural diversification" and the simulator would allow users to benefit from a "continuous skiing experience, rather than having to traverse up and down a slope".

Users will range from experienced skiers to novices according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The case officer noted that modernisation of the agricultural building, removal of asbestos, and inclusion of solar panels were positive aspects to the proposal.

Bapton Manor Farm has been part of Bapton Manor estate since the mid-19th Century. It is home to Grade II listed buildings such as The Old Dairy House and Bryant's Cottage.