Project – Mansfield Barn, Shedfield

• Conversion of a redundant barn to a dwelling
• Countryside location

Mansfield Barn is a redundant agricultural building standing in splendid rural isolation. It is of traditional timber frame construction with weather boarded walls and a clay tile roof. Lack of use over the years had seen its condition deteriorate but it was still structurally sound and capable of being repaired and re-used.

As a redundant rural building the preferred use in planning policy terms would usually be a commercial or a business use with residential conversion a last resort. However the barn's isolated position and narrow 1 mile approach drive were major obstacles to such use. Although not a statutory listed building the Council's Conservation Officer took a very close interest and then four species of Bat and a Barn Owl were found!

In the end residential use was granted planning permission.

Key Issues -

• Countryside location
• Overcoming the preferred alternative use for business purposes
• Historic building worth saving
• Ecology – Bats and Barn Owls

Design Solution -

Working with the architect Ben Macdonald Associates, the aim was to provide a dwelling that retained the historic and architectural integrity of the building and its agricultural antecedent. As a result, the Barn would clearly appear as a barn in a new use rather than a house with some barn like features.

Other partners
Architect – Ben Macdonald Associates
Ecology – ECOSA
For more information contact Ian Ellis, Director