Manor Farm, Spalford – Planning Success & Rural Diversification | Nottinghamshire
Unlocking development potential with coordinated planning, Class Q strategy and design-led solutions.
🌱 Manor Farm, Spalford – A stunning rural redevelopment delivered through Strategic Planning
Manor Farm in Spalford, Nottinghamshire is a powerful example of how a complex rural site can be transformed into an attractive, multi-phase development when guided by a commercially minded planning strategy.
After years of stalled progress and unsuccessful attempts by previous agents, the landowner appointed Fytche-Taylor Planning to take the project forward. Within a single coordinated strategy, we delivered a suite of planning permissions that dramatically increased the value and development potential of the site:
Full permission to convert two historic brick barns into premium residential homes
Class Q consent to convert two large modern storage barns into five dwellings
A high-value new-build scheme of five architect-designed homes, supported by the Class Q fallback position and commended by the planning committee for its exceptional quality.
A Comprehensive, Design-led Strategy
The redevelopment of Manor Farm serves as a textbook example of how strategic consultancy, strong design and a robust planning narrative can turn an under-performing farmyard into a commercially successful, diversified rural development. From the outset, our aim was clear: Maximise development potential, reduce planning risk, and substantially uplift the financial value of the site through the sensitive restoration and redevelopment of the existing buildings. Our 3 phase plan:
Phase 1 – Converting heritage assets into market-ready homes: We designed and secured permission to convert two characterful brick barns - high-value assets that form the foundation of the site’s long-term strategy.
Phase 2 – Using Class Q to unlock the potential for residential use: The two modern storage barns presented little architectural merit but delivered major value through the Class Q prior approval route, giving consent for five new homes and establishing residential use across the farmstead.
Phase 3 – Justifying a premium new-build scheme: With the Class Q fallback in place, we advanced a more commercially attractive proposal: five high-quality new-build homes. The planning committee praised the design-led approach, clear justification and comprehensive supporting evidence - resulting in permission that far exceeds the value of the agricultural structures it replaces. For this final stage we appointed Core Architects to lead the house design, with E2 providing 3D visuals.
The Result: A Highly Valuable, Fully Diversified Farmstead
Our work has transformed what was previously an underused farmstead into a well-designed, thoughtfully planned rural development with clear benefits for both the landowner and the local area. The permissions now in place provide:
A coordinated, multi-phase approach that brings new purpose to redundant farm buildings - take a look at our pre-development video.
High-quality homes that respect and enhance the rural character
Greater flexibility in how the site can progress, whether delivered in phases or as a complete scheme
Planning certainty, supported by a clear and defensible fallback position
A visually improved setting, replacing unattractive agricultural structures with architect-designed homes
Our In-House Expertise & Multidisciplinary Approach
Delivering a commercially successful scheme of this scale requires more than planning knowledge — it demands coordinated technical expertise, strong strategic leadership and a planning case built on evidence, experience and financial awareness.
For the latest Manor Farm application, our in-house planning team led every stage of the process, ensuring the submission was tightly focused on achieving the most positive outcome at the first attempt.
Our role included:
A detailed review of site history, building uses and structural integrity, identifying the strongest and most commercially advantageous route to approval.
Comprehensive site surveys, early planning advice and initial design concepts, shaping the foundations of a compelling redevelopment strategy.
Preparation of a robust planning case, structured around the established Class Q fallback position to strengthen the argument for high-quality new build homes.
Proactive liaison with Newark & Sherwood District Council, managing queries and supporting the application through to determination.
This coordinated approach ensured that the planning narrative, architectural design and technical reporting all aligned to support the same objective: securing the highest value permission for the landowner.
Why Developers & Landowners Choose Us
Manor Farm highlights the value of engaging an experienced, commercially focused planning team early — especially when dealing with agricultural buildings, complex policy or stalled sites.
Our approach consistently:
Identifies hidden opportunities others miss
Unlocks value from redundant buildings
Strengthens the planning case through strategic sequencing
Prioritises commercially viable outcomes
Delivers permissions that previous agents failed to secure
If you are considering farm diversification, rural redevelopment or maximising the value of agricultural buildings, our team can help you achieve similar success.
Specialist technical input
We appointed and coordinated a trusted team of technical consultants for a fully evidenced submission:
Core Architects – New Dwelling Design & Statement
Archer Ecology – Biodiversity Assessment & Preliminary Roost Appraisal
RM Associates – Flood Risk Assessment
Finch Arboriculture – Tree Constraints Survey
Michael D Joyce Associates – Phase 1 Geoenvironmental Risk Assessment
E2 Design - 3D Visuals
