Introduction

Glenfield Farm is a small, now redundant, intensive pig farm on the outskirts of the parish of Haselbury Plucknett.  As specialists in rural change of use and architecture, Bondstones have been engaged by the land owners to look at a sustainable redevelopment of the farm site.

Having met with James Farrant (Parish Council) and Hugh Williams (Parish Council / CPRE) on site on 05/05/2021 we agreed to provide a web page 'hub' to provide information about the proposals for the site moving forwards - especially to communicate ideas and most especially to allay fears may have arisen following other (unrelated) developer's antics in the locality!

In short summary, in its current format (without significant reinvestment / substantial agricultural redevelopment) the site is no longer viable as a working farm.  The farm buildings are however eligible for 'Class Q' (conversion to dwellings) and 'Class R' permitted development (to flexible commercial use) and so, on this basis, we are preparing a suite of applications to secure a viable future for the farm site.

While finer details of the proposed conversions are in hand with our Architecture team (nearing finalisation) - we / the site owners specifically want to allay fears that the area is about to be subject to another major planning application... We have been informed that the local rumour mill is expecting a planning application for a 25 unit 'housing estate'.  We are more than happy to confirm that this is not the case!

Bondstones have submitted an initial application to improve access to the site - this will serve future agricultural use of the land / buildings and, subject to future permissions, shall provide better access for future re-use of the farmstead.  The proposal is akin to a scheme approved in a previous change of use planning consent - but now includes significant bio-diversity enhancement, screening of the farm site and (in association) will result in realignment and partial removal of overhead power lines.  The overall strategy for the site will include the demolition of some of the lower quality farm buildings and propose conversion of others - ultimately we are seeking to create a compact group of low impact, highly sustainable, high-quality dwellings and associated home-workspaces within the farmstead site - nothing more.

If you would like to keep in touch or have any comments, thoughts or ideas please do get involved through the form below (so that we can keep track of your interest).

In due course we intend to provide more details on this page - and will do so as soon as we are in a position to do so!

With best wishes,

Ian Firth
Bondstones - Director.