Steve Beals is moving his insurance agency from the Bedford Village Shoppes farther down Route 101, across from the new Hannaford supermarket – and in the process will be restoring a historic barn.

The Planning Board approved the project at its Monday, April 6, meeting. In 2008, the Zoning Board granted a variance for the building’s dimensions.

The new office will be located at the eastern corner of Hardy Road and Route 101. Beals said the move would allow his business, Beals Insurance Agency, to expand in the future.

It would entail restoring a historic barn dating back to the 1830s or 40s — something, he said, would be a benefit to the whole town.

“The traditional New England, Yankee architecture needs to be preserved,” Beals said. “That is what I am most excited about.”

His company, which deals in commercial, auto and life insurance, has two employees and occupies 1,300 to 1,400 square feet in its current location.

“We’re hoping to grow – slow, but steady growth,” said Beals, who is a former member of the Bedford School Board.

The 1-acre property is the site of the former Aftan Kennels, which ceased operation after most of the house was destroyed in a 2006 fire. The house will have to be torn down, but the barn was not damaged in the blaze.

“We’re going to do the best we can to restore as much of the barn as we can,” Beals said.

Beals said he would reside the barn and raise it, installing a new foundation underneath. He also will build a one-story Cape Cod-style addition onto it, according to a town planning memo.

After the restoration and construction, the site will have as much as 4,400 square feet available. Beals said he will take up about 2,000, renting out the rest to two business tenants.

“I haven’t formally put that out, but I’m talking to some people now,” Beals said.

An additional benefit to the town will be the expansion of water service in the area. Beals said he and several neighboring landowners are paying to bring a water main across Route 101. His property will be serviced by Pennichuck Water Works.

Beals plans to be in his new location by December. Last spring, he struck an agreement to buy the land from the current owners, Alan and Anne Roberts.

Beals has already sold his current office condo, which is about 1,300 to 1,400 square feet.

Rick Sawyer, the town planning director, praised the project. “It’s a good use for that area. It is very good to get that property back in use,” Sawyer said. “I think it’s good a local business is staying in town and expanding a bit.”

At the Planning Board meeting, a representative for Beals said the project might be done in phases.