Old Abbey Farmhouse, Woodhall Spa – Change of Use & Listed Building Consent

Planning and architectural design for the sensitive restoration and conversion of this Grade II listed farmhouse to create luxury guest accommodation and a bespoke bridal suite.

Planning to Create Quality Guest Accommodation

Our clients owned Old Abbey Farmhouse, a Grade II listed property that had previously been used as a private residence and for long-term letting. With a thriving nearby wedding business, they recognised an opportunity to make more meaningful use of the site.

Their ambition was to create high-quality, year-round guest accommodation - including a bespoke, beautifully designed bridal suite - while bringing the listed building and its vacant outbuildings back into a sustainable and long-term commercial use.

To achieve this, we developed a clear planning strategy from the outset, appointed a chartered heritage specialist to support the process, and prepared a robust, policy-led planning case. This approach ensured that both planning permission and Listed Building Consent were secured smoothly for this sensitive and complex site.

Restored Grade II listed farmhouse converted to luxury guest accommodation in Woodhall Spa

The transformation of Old Abbey Farmhouse has exceeded our expectations. Thanks to Fytche-Taylor’s expertise, we now have stunning guest accommodation and a unique bridal suite that perfectly complements the building’s history.

A unique site with stunning views and huge potential...

Old Abbey Farmhouse sits within a historic rural landscape close to the remains of Kirkstead Abbey, near Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire. The site includes the 18th-century listed farmhouse and two later outbuildings from the 1990s, all set within mature gardens and accessed by a long tree-lined driveway.

The project sought to:

  • Convert the farmhouse into a high-quality 5-bedroom guest accommodation unit

  • Convert the detached garage to provide a luxury bridal suite and flexible guest space

  • Convert the large storage building to provide additional accommodation options

  • Bring the buildings into a cohesive use to compliment Abbey Farm Weddings' offer

  • Deliver accommodation capable of generating year-round income beyond the main wedding season

All works were designed to respect the listed farmhouse and protect the wider historic setting.

Delivering the heritage-led solution...

We managed the full planning process from concept designs to completion, including:

  • Building surveys, feasibility studies, client-led concept designs and detailed scale plans.

  • Preparing the Planning Statement, Design & Access content and supporting documents.

  • Coordinating a full Heritage Statement prepared by a qualified heritage consultant.

  • Leading negotiations with the local planning authority.

  • Demonstrating policy compliance, economic need and heritage justification.

  • Managing subsequent condition discharge applications following approval.

Our heritage-led approach ensured that all proposed alterations were appropriate, proportionate, and fully justified.

Sympathetic heritage-led renovation of rural outbuildings for bridal suite
Conservation-focused conversion of historic farm buildings for tourism use
Planning-approved change of use at Old Abbey Farmhouse, Lincolnshire

Planning Strategy & Key Considerations

A central part of the planning case was demonstrating that the proposals:

  • Would protect and enhance the significance of the Grade II listed farmhouse

  • Involved only minimal, reversible internal alterations

  • Would retain the building’s character, form and architectural proportions

  • Would not harm the setting of nearby heritage assets, including Kirkstead Abbey

  • Supported rural tourism and the established local wedding business

  • Made an efficient and sustainable use of an existing site and buildings

The scheme aligned strongly with local and national planning policy, particularly around heritage protection and supporting the rural economy.

Rural tourism development featuring renovated farmhouse and modernised outbuildings

Completed Works

The renovation and conversion works have now been completed. The result is a beautifully restored set of buildings that provide:

  • High-quality year-round guest accommodation

  • A unique bridal suite designed specifically for wedding parties

  • Flexible and sustainable use of the listed building and outbuildings

  • A greatly enhanced offer for Abbey Farm Weddings

  • Long-term economic benefits, securing the heritage asset

The project demonstrates how sensitive conservation, thoughtful design, and a strong planning strategy can unlock new opportunities for historic rural buildings.

Abbey Farm Weddings - Kirkstead: Heritage property transformation providing year-round luxury guest accommodation

Planning Guidance

Ready to develop your own guest accommodation or heritage tourism project?

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