BCM Wilson Hill are delighted to announce that their multi-talented teams in Architecture & Design and Rural Consultancy have successfully achieved full planning consent at Graces Farm in the South Downs National Park. This has proved to be an excellent conclusion to a demanding and detailed journey with our wonderful clients.
Decision
The unanimous decision by the South Downs National Park planning committee to grant permission was vindication for our teamwork and excellence. What is more it shows that collaboration and a sensitivity to your surroundings can allow huge progress. The determination by our clients and ourselves meant that a multitude of interested parties’ wishes were managed. The result is the creation of a project of which both our clients and the local community can be proud.
Challenges
When a family has over 100 years of history farming over 1500 acres of beautiful land, change is always going to be required, but that vision for change needs to be done with sensitivity, especially when in designated land. A commitment to best practice has to be coupled with a desire to protect and enhance the environment.
We faced a few hurdles along the way, including:
- turning ageing, impractical and listed farm buildings into ones that are suitable for modern farming practices;
- creating new accommodation for every-growing farm machinery;
- creating meaningful accommodation for farm workers;
- creating viable properties that will create sustainable economic value to the farm;
- respecting the importance and biodiversity of the setting at all times whilst ensuring there are benefits to the community.
Result
The fact that our team, led brilliantly by James Fraser for Architecture and Chris Horn for our Rural Consultancy, managed to achieve all of this with unanimous backing from the committee, means that historic buildings will be preserved, and the new farmyard will allow the owners the chance to keep farming. We feel we have achieved the best possible results for our clients, the land and the local community.
Contact
For further details about this project or our other services, please contact BCM Wilson Hill
t: 01962 763 900
e: www@bcmwilsonhill.co.uk