South East Cambridgeshire MP Sir Jim Paice has applied for planning permission to convert an agricultural barn into a house.

Sir Jim has submitted plans to East Cambridgeshire District Council that could see a barn that is used to store cattle feed and farm equipment converted into a two-storey house.

The barn is part of the 12-acre Saxon Farm, which sits in Long Dolver Drove, on the outskirts of Soham and is home to a herd of “pedigree beef cattle”.

Agents acting for the MP said: “The design of the new dwelling aims to retain the agricultural character of the building and is designed internally to make full use of the building’s orientation and the existing openings.

“Materials will comprise brick and timber cladding and the roof, due to its pitch, will allow for various materials that will fit with the local vernacular, this could be either slate or tile.

“These materials are not dissimilar to those of the existing building and of the neighbouring properties.”

The agents said that the barn adjoins two open-sided buildings which are used to store cattle over winter, adding that they would be demolished as part of the development.

The proposed home would not be left in isolation, the agents said, as it would be located next to three other houses.

Sir Jim, who lives in Fordham, will stand down in May after 28 years as the Member of Parliament for South East Cambs.

A decision on the plans is expected within the next eight weeks. To view the plans, or to have a say, visit www.eastcambs.gov.uk