It has stood on the edge of a Norfolk village for more than two centuries.

And officials have decided this unremarkable-looking barn on the outskirts of Martham can stay for a little while longer, after turning down a fourth bid to have it bulldozed.

With its crumbling brickwork and overgrown ivy covering its facade, the building, known as Mill Barn, may not look like much and does not have many fans.

The local councillor wants it gone, fearing its location on a sharp bend means motorists may crash into it.

And the owner, farmer Henry Alston, also wants it gone, so it can be replaced by a new home.Eastern Daily Press: The barn has become covered in ivy and is in a state of disrepairThe barn has become covered in ivy and is in a state of disrepair (Image: Google)

But his plans have been thwarted by the government's Planning Inspectorate.

It agreed with Great Yarmouth Borough Council's decision, in September 2022, to refuse permission for demolition.

The authority said the site is outside the area specified for development in the borough’s local plan document - and argued the barn was a “traditional feature”, the loss of which would “cause significant harm to the local historic environment”.

READ MORE: Councillors vote against demolishing 'blot on the landscape' barn

Eastern Daily Press: Henry Alston is an award-winning farmer who runs the Billockby farm estate and owns the land in Martham where the barn is situatedHenry Alston is an award-winning farmer who runs the Billockby farm estate and owns the land in Martham where the barn is situated (Image: Newsquest)

Previous bids to demolish the barn, in 2021, 2016 and 2014, were all turned down by the council, although permission was granted in 2008 to convert it.

Mr Alston, of the Billockby farm estate, had hoped to knock down the barn and build a new property further away from the road, arguing it would be a safer location.

In addition, he said it had the full support of the parish council and highways and claimed the development would bring economic benefits to the rural area.

But the government official failed to see the merit of the scheme, citing the conflict with policies governing development in the countryside and the loss of a non-designated heritage asset.

READ MORE: 'Leave my tree be!' - Man's anger at 'rogue' attempts to trim his 300-year-old oak

Eastern Daily Press: Paul Hooper, Martham parish councillorPaul Hooper, Martham parish councillor (Image: Newsquest)

Parish councillor Paul Hooper thinks this is the wrong decision and fears leaving the building there is an "accident waiting to happen" due to the risk of buses using the narrow road  - which runs from Martham to Hemsby - crashing into the 19th century barn.

"The building is on a dangerous corner and it would make it much safer if it was demolished.

"It is not the nicest of buildings and has asbestos in the roof - no one can live in it so what will happen now?"