TV PRESENTER Kate Humble's scheme to convert redundant agricultural buildings at Penallt into

a centre of excellence for rural skills has been approved by planners.

The project at Upper Meend Farm is being developed in conjunction with Monmouthshire County Council, which still owns 30 per cent of the working farm.

The application was debated by Monmouthshire planners last week and proposes to change the use of four buildings that currently form part of a complex of farm buildings within Upper Meend Farm.

However, members were told that the buildings will largely retain their current agricultural purpose while being used as a learning environment.

The main stone barn would be the focus of operations incorporating a lecture room, a kitchen and a dining area. It would be used to educate members of the public in a variety of rural skills including hedge-laying, tree planting, stone walling and livestock husbandry.

The kitchen would serve to provide food for attendees and to act as a classroom for food preparation and cookery demonstrations.

Councillor Debbie Blakebrough told members: "I think it's a positive business which adds to the vibrancy and economy of the area."

Councillor David Dovey pointed out that because the council has a 30 per cent stake in the scheme the planners still needed to scrutinise the scheme in the same way and added: "We look upon these activities as equally stringently as other applications."

The Monmouthshire planning committee approved the scheme. Speaking afterwards George Ashworth, the council's head of planning, said that converting the buildings for use as an educational use could benefit the economy.

He added: "The council is keen to see this scheme happen and it might put Monmouthshire on the map."