In what sounds like a retirement plan for Willy Wonka, a couple have submitted plans to turn a former chocolate factory into a home so they can be near their horses.

Ruth Saberton and Christian Browning have submitted the plans to Cornwall Council for their site in St Veep, near Lostwithiel.

The building was previously used as a chocolate factory, but the planning application explains it has been empty for several years and recently used as a “dumping ground”. The couple want to create a residential unit for themselves so they can stay on the site where they would like to keep their horses.

A design and access statement submitted with the application explains that Ruth Saberton is an “acclaimed author” whilst Mr Browning is a marine consultant.  The application explains that they bought the site so they could relocate their horses which are currently located some distance from their home requiring a 20-minute drive in each direction twice a day.

Under the plans, the couple want to use the former chocolate factory building as the main living area and then convert a section of an attached stable for use as a bedroom. The main building would have an open plan kitchen/living/dining area, a bathroom and an office.

The design and access statement explains that “minimal changes” would be made to the internal of the main building for it to be used for residential purposes. And the document states that the applicants “have made every effort to ensure that the change of use/conversion would not result in any greater visual prominence within the site and landscape than the existing building on the site”.

The document adds: “There are negligible changes proposed to the form of the building, with a marginal increase proposed in the roof height of the existing building to allow for additional insulation, and existing openings including doors and windows able to be reused. Large openings on the southern elevation will be retained, providing passive solar gain and natural light. In respect of materials and changes to the physical appearance of the building, there are minimal changes sought, with the building being in a habitable state, and well insulated.

“The proposed works required to convert the section of stable building located to the west of the main building structure would change the physical appearance only marginally, with a full height window put in place of the existing stable door, and the smaller window opening retained.”

The design and access statement also says that the conversion could help improve the site: “While the site has been vacant for some time, it has been subject to vandalism and unauthorised use of the site, which has ceased since the applicants took ownership of the site. It is hoped that the efforts that the applicants have made to be present on the site, and to maintain and repair the buildings there have reduced local concerns in respect of security and safety aspects that have arisen from the previous vacant state of the property.”

The planning application has been validated by Cornwall Council with no date set for when a decision will be made.