AN extension to an ”exceptional“ traditional farmhouse dating back at least 180 years has been approved, despite being in a protected area and local objections.

Councillors passed the application for the two-storey extension to the side of Lower Glyn Farm, beside a common at Devauden and within the Wye Valley National Landscape area.

Planning officer Phil Thomas told Monmouthshire Council’s planning committee there was no objection from its rights of way officer, despite the rural site being surrounded by public rights of way.

Officers considered the extension, which will reach slightly below the roof level of the existing building, to be “modest” and “subordinate” to the existing farmhouse.

“The building is not listed but is an old building and of somewhat local importance,” he said.

A report said the extension should be “carefully considered”, as the farmhouse can be seen on maps dating from 1846, but is likely to date back further.

It is “a traditional Monmouthshire farmhouse and considered to be an exceptional example of its type”.

Devauden Community Council objected to the application by Mr and Mrs M Lewis, and the area’s county councillor, and committee member, Rachel Buckler, said: “I have serious concerns about this application and the way it has been assessed.

“It’s not an ordinary dwelling, it’s an exceptional example of a traditional Monmouthshire farmhouse located within the Wye Valley National Landscape, meaning there’s a very high bar for an extension.”

The extension would change the linear farmhouse to having an L-shape roof at its end, which Cllr Buckler said was significant.

She was also concerned about footpath access, and claimed people had been discouraged from walking there, and didn’t believe the committee should make a decision due to “enforcement issues” she claimed related to the property.

Signs to beware of dogs had been put up on footpaths, which had discouraged use, she added.

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The application was approved, with 10 members voting in favour, three against and one abstention.